U.S. patent application number 10/381129 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-04 for driving school vehicle, double pedal device, pedal box, adjuster and driving instructor post for use in the driving school vehicle.
Invention is credited to Pilz, Karlheninz.
Application Number | 20040040400 10/381129 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31979398 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040040400 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pilz, Karlheninz |
March 4, 2004 |
Driving school vehicle, double pedal device, pedal box, adjuster
and driving instructor post for use in the driving school
vehicle
Abstract
The present invention relates to a driving school vehicle, a
double pedal device with hydraulic coupling, a pedal box,
actuators, and an instructor's post for use in the driving school
vehicle. In particular, the hydraulic double pedal device for a
driving school vehicle has at least one pedal on the driver's side,
at least one pedal on the (99, 98, 97) on the passenger's side, and
a hydraulic unit which couples the driver's side pedal with the
passenger's side pedal in such a way that on operating the
passenger's side pedal the driver's side pedal is also operated
whereby the hydraulic device comprises at least one driver's side
master cylinder arrangement, coupled to the driver's side pedal and
at least one passenger's side master cylinder arrangement coupled
to the passenger's side pedal and it is arranged symmetrically
about an axis of symmetry (F), further comprising at least one
pressure line (92) hydraulically connecting the driver's side
master cylinder arrangement with the passenger's side mater
cylinder arrangement, whereby a slider (63) mechanically coupled to
the passenger's side pedal (99) and the passenger's side master
cylinder arrangement (69, 70) to transfer force between the
passenger's side pedal (99) and the passenger's side mater cylinder
arrangement (69, 70), and a guide (65, 66) for it are provided.
Inventors: |
Pilz, Karlheninz; (Munchen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAM COLLARD
COLLARD & ROE, P.C.
1077 NORTHERN BOULEVARD
ROSLYN
NY
11576
US
|
Family ID: |
31979398 |
Appl. No.: |
10/381129 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
September 20, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE01/03627 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
74/480R ;
74/560 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05G 1/30 20130101; G05G
1/34 20130101; G09B 19/16 20130101; Y10T 74/20213 20150115; B60T
7/06 20130101; G09B 9/042 20130101; Y10T 74/20888 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
074/480.00R ;
074/560 |
International
Class: |
G05G 011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 22, 2000 |
DE |
100471501 |
May 18, 2001 |
DE |
201084112 |
Claims
1. Double pedal device to be used in a driving school vehicle
having at least one driver's side pedal (93, 94, 95), at least one
instructor's or passenger's side pedal (99, 98, 97) and hydraulic
means that couple the driver's side pedal to the passenger's side
pedal so that the driver's side pedal is operated if the
passenger's side pedal is operated, the hydraulic means comprise at
least one driver's side pressure cylinder means (11, 18) being
coupled to the driver's side pedal, at least one passenger's side
pressure cylinder means (69, 70) being coupled to the passenger's
side pedal and being symmetrical to an axis of symmetry (F), and at
least one pressure line (92) that hydraulically couples the
driver's side pressure cylinder means (11, 18) to the passenger's
side pressure cylinder means (69, 70), characterized by a slider
(63) that is mechanically coupled to the passenger's side pedal
(99) and the passenger's side pressure cylinder means (69, 70) for
transferring force between the passenger's side pedal (99) and the
passenger's side pressure cylinder means (69, 70), and guiding
means (65, 66) on which the slider (63) is supported in a moveable
manner.
2. Double pedal device according to claim 1, characterized in that
the slider (63) is supported on the guiding means (65, 66) so that,
on transferring force from the passenger's side pedal (99) to the
passenger's side pressure cylinder means (69, 70), only a force or
force components act on the pressure cylinder means (69, 70) in
direction of the symmetry axis (F) of the pressure cylinder means
(69, 70).
3. Double pedal device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
characterized in that the guiding means comprise a guiding rod (66)
on which the slider (63) is supported moveably or slidably.
4. Double pedal device according to claim 3, characterized in that
the slider (63) is supported on the guiding rod (66) by means of a
linear bearing or support.
5. Double pedal device according to claim 4, characterized in that
an axis of symmetry of the guiding rod (66) is parallel to the axis
of symmetry (F) of the passenger's side pressure cylinder means
(69, 70) and that both axis of symmetry are in the same plane.
6. Double pedal device according to claim 3, characterized in that
the guiding means have at least two guiding rods (65, 66) on which
the slider (63) is supported, and that the guiding rods are
arranged in parallel to each other and in distance to each other in
the same plane.
7. Double pedal device according to claim 6, characterized in that
at least two identical passenger's side pressure cylinder means
(69, 70, 68, 71) are provided, the axes of symmetry thereof are
arranged in parallel to each other and with distance to each other
in the same plane.
8. Double pedal device according to claim 7, characterized in that
the axes of symmetry of the guiding rods (65, 66) and the axes of
symmetry of the passenger's side pressure cylinder means (69, 70;
68, 71) lie in parallel to each other and with distance to each
other in the same plane.
9. Double pedal device according to claim 8, characterized in that
a linear bearing (72) is provided for each guiding rod for
supporting or bearing the slider (63).
10. Double pedal device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the guiding means extends between a first
block (64) and a second block (62), that the slider (63) is
supported between the first block and the second block on the
guiding means, that at least one spring (68) is provided between
the first block and the slider (63) which pushes the slider (63)
towards the second block (62), and that at least one passenger's
side pressure cylinder means is arranged between the first block
(64) and the slider (63).
11. Double pedal device according to claim 10, characterized in
that a spacer is arranged between the slider (63) and the second
block (62).
12. Double pedal device according to claim 10 or claim 11,
characterized in that the second pedal (99) is supported in the
second block (62) in a pivoted or hinged manner.
13. Double pedal device according to claim 12, characterized by a
support lever (61), one end thereof is supported on the slider (63)
in a hinged manner and the other end thereof is supported on a
pedal lever (60) of the passenger's side pedal (99) in a hinged
manner.
14. Double pedal device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by at least one actuator (10, 30) on the driver's
side of the vehicle which is engaged in the driver's side pedal
wherein the actuator (10, 30) comprises the driver's side pressure
cylinder means (11, 18).
15. Double pedal device according to claim 14, characterized in
that the actuator (10) has a moveable catch means (15, 17) that is
moved by the driver's side pressure cylinder means of the actuator
(10) and that is engaged in the driver's side pedal.
16. Double pedal device according to claim 14 or claim 15,
characterized in that the actuator (10, 30) has at least one spring
(16), the force of the spring is opposed to the force of the
pressure cylinder means of the actuator (10, 30).
17. Double pedal device according to claim 14, characterized in
that the actuator comprises a gear, gearing or transmission that
converts a movement of the pressure cylinder means (31) of the
actuator (30) into a movement of the pedal (94) being engaged in
the actuator (30) on the driver's side.
18. Double pedal device according to claim 17, characterized in
that the gear, gearing or transmission has a chain (41) being
attached to the pedal (94).
19. Double pedal device according to claim 18, characterized in
that the gearing has a gear wheel (49) engaging in the chain (41)
and deflecting the course of the chain by 1800.
20. Double pedal device according to claim 18 or claim 19,
characterized in that the gearing has a further gear wheel (45)
engaging in the chain (41) and deflecting the course of the chain
(41) by 90.degree..
21. Double pedal device according to claim 20, characterized in
that the gear wheel (49) is mechanically coupled to the pressure
cylinder means of the actuator and is linearly moved by means of
the pressure cylinder means.
22. Double pedal device according to claim 21, characterized in
that the chain extends starting from a fixed attachment on a casing
(34) via the gear wheel (49) being linearly moveable and the
further gear wheel (45) being fixedly attached to the casing to the
first pedal (94).
23. Double pedal device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the hydraulic means has a hydraulic liquid
having a viscosity number of 1.
24. Double pedal device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the pressure line of the hydraulic means is
flexible.
25. Double pedal device according to claim 24, characterized in
that the pressure line is made of an armid synthetic fiber.
26. Double pedal device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the slider (63) is made of polyethylene.
27. Pedal unit (80; 80.1; 81), particularly for use in a double
pedal device for use in a driving school vehicle and particularly
on the passenger's side of the driving school vehicle, having at
least one pedal (99, 98, 97) and a hydraulic pressure cylinder
means (11, 18) being mechanically coupled to the pedal and being
symmetrical to an axis of symmetry (F), characterized by a slider
(63) that is mechanically coupled to the pedal (99) and the
pressure cylinder means (69, 70) for transferring force between the
pedal (99) and the pressure cylinder means (69, 70), and guiding
means (65, 66) on which the slider (63) is supported in a moveable
manner so that only a force or force components act on the pressure
cylinder means (69, 70) in the direction of the axis of symmetry
(F) of the pressure cylinder means (69, 70) during transferring of
force from the pedal (99) to the pressure cylinder means (69,
70).
28. Pedal unit according to claim 27, characterized in that the
guiding means comprise at least one guiding rod (66) on which the
slider (63) is supported moveably or slideably.
29. Pedal unit according to claim 28, characterized in that the
slider (63) is supported on the guiding rod (66) by means of a
linear bearing (72) or support.
30. Pedal unit according to claim 29, characterized in that an axis
of symmetry of the guiding rod (66) is parallel to the axis of
symmetry (F) of the pressure cylinder means (69, 70) and that both
axes of symmetry are in the same plane.
31. Pedal unit according to claim 28, characterized in that the
guiding means have at least two guiding rods (65, 66) on which the
slider (63) is supported, and that the guiding rods are arranged in
parallel to each other and in distance to each other in the same
plane.
32. Pedal unit according to claim 31, characterized in that at
least two identical passenger's side pressure cylinder means (69,
70; 68, 71) are provided, the axes of symmetry thereof are arranged
in parallel to each other and with distance to each other in the
same plane.
33. Pedal unit according to claim 32, characterized in that the
axes of symmetry of the guiding rods (65, 66) and the axes of
symmetry of the passenger's side pressure cylinder means (69, 70;
68, 71) lie in parallel to each other and with distance to each
other in the same plane.
34. Pedal unit according to claim 33, characterized in that one
linear bearing (72) is provided for each guiding rod for supporting
or bearing the slider (63).
35. Pedal unit according to one of the claims 27 to 34,
characterized in that the guiding means extends between a first
block (64) and a second block (62), that the slider (63) is
supported between the first block and the second block on the
guiding means, that at least one spring (68) is provided between
the first block and the slider (63) which pushes the slider (63)
towards the second block (62), and that at least one passenger's
side pressure cylinder means is arranged between the first block
(64) and the slider (63).
36. Pedal unit according to claim 35, characterized in that a
spacer is arranged between the slider (63) and the second block
(62).
37. Pedal unit according to claim 35 or claim 36, characterized in
that the pedal (99) is supported in the second block (62) in a
pivoted or hinged manner.
38. Pedal unit according to claim 37, characterized by a support
lever (61), one end thereof is supported on the slider (63) in a
hinged or jointed manner and the other end thereof is supported on
a pedal lever (60) of the pedal (99) in a hinged or jointed manner
wherein the angle between the support of the support lever on the
slider (63), the support of the support lever on the pedal lever,
and the support of the pedal lever on the second block (62) is an
acute angle.
39. Pedal unit according one of the claims 27 to 38, characterized
in that the slider (63) consists of polyethylene.
40. Actuator for engaging in a pedal on the driver's side of a
driving school vehicle and particularly for use in a double pedal
device of a driving school vehicle having hydraulic pressure
cylinder means (11, 18), characterized in that the actuator (10)
has moveable catch means (15, 17) that are driven by the pressure
cylinder means of the actuator (10) and that are engaged in the
pedal on driver's side.
41. Actuator according to claim 40, characterized in that the
actuator (10) has at least one spring (16), the force of the spring
is opposed to the force of the pressure cylinder means of the
actuator (10, 30).
42. Actuator according to claim 40 or claim 41, characterized in
that the catch means has a catch that is covered by nylon at least
partly.
43. Actuator (30) for engaging in a pedal on the driver's side of a
driving school vehicle having hydraulic pressure cylinder means
(31), characterized in that the actuator (30) has a gear, gearing
or transmission that converts a movement of the pressure cylinder
means (31) of the actuator (30) to a movement of the pedal (94)
engaging in the actuator (30).
44. Actuator according to claim 43, characterized in that the gear,
gearing or transmission has a chain (41) being attached to the
pedal (94).
45. Actuator according to claim 44, characterized in that the
gearing has a gear wheel (49) engaging in the chain (41) and
deflecting the course of the chain by 180.degree..
46. Actuator according to claim 44 or claim 45, characterized in
that the gearing has a further gear wheel (45) engaging in the
chain (41) and deflecting the course of the chain (41) by
90.degree..
47. Actuator according to claim 46, characterized in that the gear
wheel (49) is mechanically coupled to the pressure cylinder means
of the actuator and is linearly moved by means of the pressure
cylinder means.
48. Actuator according to claim 47, characterized in that the chain
extends starting from a fixed attachment on a casing (34) via the
gear wheel (49) being linearly moveable and the further gear wheel
(45), which is fixedly attached to the casing, to the first pedal
(94).
49. Double pedal device, particularly for use in a driving school
vehicle having automatic transmission, comprising a driver's side
accelerator pedal (95.2), a passenger's side accelerator pedal
(97.2), and coupling means that couple the driver's side
accelerator pedal (95.2) to the passenger's side accelerator pedal
(97.2) so that driver's side accelerator pedal (95.2) is also
operated with increasing acceleration or gas if the passenger's
side accelerator pedal (97.2) is operated, characterized by a
passenger's side anti accelerator pedal (99.2), the coupling means
coupling the driver's side accelerator pedal (95.2) to the
passenger's side anti accelerator pedal (99.2) so that the driver's
side accelerator pedal (95.2) is operated with decreasing
acceleration or gas if the passenger's side anti accelerator pedal
is operated.
50. Double pedal device according to claim 49, characterized in
that the coupling means are hydraulic means having a driver's side
accelerator pedal hydraulic means engaging in the driver's side
accelerator pedal (95.2), a passenger's side accelerator pedal
hydraulic means being coupled to the passenger's side accelerator
pedal (97.2), a passenger's side anti accelerator pedal hydraulic
means being coupled to the passenger's side anti accelerator pedal
(99.2), and a pressure line means (90.2, 91.2, 92.2) that
hydraulically connects the driver's side accelerator pedal
hydraulic means to the passenger's side accelerator pedal hydraulic
means and the passenger's side anti accelerator pedal hydraulic
means
51. Double pedal device according to claim 50, characterized in
that the driver's side accelerator pedal hydraulic means, the
passenger's side accelerator pedal hydraulic means (69.2, 70.2) and
the passenger's side anti accelerator pedal hydraulic means (69.2,
70.2) each comprise at least one pressure cylinder means (68.2,
69.2).
52. Double pedal device according to claim 51, characterized by a
slider (63) being mechanically coupled to a passenger's side pedal
(97.2, 98.2, 99.2) and to the corresponding pressure cylinder means
(69.2, 70.2) in order to transfer force between the passenger's
side pedal (99.2) and the pressure cylinder means (69.2, 70.2), and
guiding means (65.2, 66.2) on which the slider (63.2) is supported
moveably.
53. Double pedal device according to claim 52, characterized in
that, on transferring force from the passenger's side pedal (97.2,
98.2, 99.2) to the pressure cylinder means (69.2, 70.2), only a
force or force components in direction of the axis of symmetry (F)
of the pressure cylinder means (69.2, 70.2) act on the pressure
cylinder means (69.2, 70.2).
54. Double pedal device according to one of the claims 51 to 53,
characterized by a slider (63) being mechanically coupled to the
passenger's side anti accelerator pedal (99.2) and to the
corresponding pressure cylinder means (69.2, 70.2) in order to
transfer force between the passenger's side anti accelerator pedal
(99.2) and the pressure cylinder means (69.2, 70.2), and guiding
means (65.2, 66.2) on which the slider (63.2) is supported
moveably.
55. Double pedal device according to claim 54, characterized in
that, on transferring force from the passenger's side anti
accelerator pedal (99.2) to the corresponding pressure cylinder
means (69.2, 70.2), only a force or force components in direction
of the axis of symmetry (F) of the pressure cylinder means (69.2,
70.2) act on the pressure cylinder means (69.2, 70.2).
56. Double pedal device according to one of the claims 53 to 55,
characterized in that the guiding means comprise at least one
guiding rod (66.2) on which the slider (63.2) is supported moveably
or slidably.
57. Double pedal device according to claim 56, characterized in
that the slider (63.2) is supported on the guiding rod (66.2) by
means of a linear bearing (72.2) or support.
58. Double pedal device according to claim 57, characterized in
that an axis of symmetry of the guiding rod (66.2) is parallel to
the axis of symmetry (F) of the passenger's side pressure cylinder
means (69.2, 70.2) and that both axis of symmetry are in the same
plane.
59. Double pedal device according to claim 58, characterized in
that the guiding means have at least two guiding rods (65.2, 66.2)
on which the slider (63) is supported, and that the guiding rods
are arranged in parallel to each other and in distance to each
other in the same plane.
60. Double pedal device according to claim 51, characterized in
that the passenger's side anti accelerator pedal hydraulic means
has two pressure cylinder means (69.2, 70.2, 68.2; 71.2), the axes
of symmetry thereof are arranged in parallel to each other and with
distance to each other in the same plane.
61. Double pedal device according to claim 59 and claim 60,
characterized in that the axes of symmetry of the guiding rods
(65.2, 66.2) and the axes of symmetry of the pressure cylinder
means (69.2, 70.2; 68.2, 71.2) of the anti accelerator pedal
hydraulic means are parallel to each other and they lie with
distance to each other in the same plane.
62. Double pedal device according to claim 61, characterized in
that one linear bearing (72.2) is provided for each guiding rod for
supporting or bearing the slider (63.2).
63. Double pedal device according to one of the claims 52 to 62,
characterized in that the guiding means extend between a first
block (64.2) and a second block (62.2), that the slider (63.2) is
supported between the first block and the second block on the
guiding means, that at least one spring (68.2) is provided between
the first block and the slider (63.2) which pushes the slider
(63.2) towards the second block (62.2), and that at least one
passenger's side pressure cylinder means is arranged between the
first block (64.2) and the slider (63.2).
64. Double pedal device according to claim 63, characterized in
that a spacer is arranged between the slider (63.2) and the second
block (62.2).
65. Double pedal device according to claim 63 or claim 64,
characterized in that the anti accelerator pedal (99.2) or the
passenger's side accelerator pedal are supported in the second
block (62.2) in a pivoted or hinged manner.
66. Double pedal device according to claim 65, characterized by a
support lever (61.2), one end thereof is supported on the slider
(63.2) in a hinged manner and the other end thereof is supported on
a pedal lever (60.2) of the passenger's side accelerator pedal
(97.2) or the anti accelerator pedal (99.2) in a hinged manner.
67. Double pedal device according to one of the claims 49 to claim
66, characterized in that the driver's side accelerator pedal
hydraulic means has an actuator means (10.12, 10.22) on the
driver's side of the vehicle which is engaged in the driver's side
accelerator pedal wherein the actuator means (10.12, 10.22) has at
least one pressure cylinder means (11.2, 18.2).
68. Double pedal device according to claim 67, characterized in
that the driver's side actuator means has an accelerator actuator
(10.22) for increasing acceleration or gas and an anti acceleration
actuator (10.12) for decreasing acceleration or gas.
69. Double pedal device according to claim 68, characterized in
that the driver's side accelerator pedal (95.2) is moveable between
a zero acceleration or gas position, in which the acceleration
pedal or gas is not operated, and a full acceleration or gas
position, in which full acceleration is operated, that the anti
accelerator actuator (10.12) moves the driver's side accelerator
pedal (95.2) in the direction from full acceleration position to
the zero acceleration position if the passenger's side anti
accelerator pedal (99.2) is operated, and that the accelerator
actuator (10.22) moves the driver's side accelerator pedal (95.2)
in the direction from the zero acceleration position to the full
accelerator position if the passenger's side accelerator pedal
(97.2) is operated.
70. Double pedal device according to claim 69, characterized in
that the anti accelerator actuator (10.12) and the accelerator
actuator (10.22) have moveable catch means (15.12, 15.22),
respectively, and driver's side pressure cylinder means,
respectively, and that the catch means is driven by the driver's
side pressure cylinder means wherein the catch means engage in the
driver's side accelerator pedal (95.2).
71. Double pedal device according to claim 69 or claim 70,
characterized in that the anti accelerator actuator (10.12) and the
accelerator actuator (10.22) have at least one spring (16.2,
16.12), respectively, the spring force thereof is opposed to the
force of the corresponding pressure cylinder means.
72. Instructor's post for use in a driving school vehicle,
particularly a truck or a bus, comprising an instructor's seat
(1.5) in the cap (10.5) of the driving school vehicle, instructor's
side pedal means (80.5) to be operated by the instructor, the pedal
means (80.5) being coupled to a driver's side pedal means for
controlling the driver's side pedal means and both of the pedal
means form a double pedal device, characterized in that a distance
(A5) between the instructor's seat (81.5) and the instructor's side
pedal means (80.5) is adjustable.
73. Instructor's post according to claim 72, characterized in that
the instructor's seat (1.5) and/or the pedal means (80.5) are
arranged in the cap of the driving school vehicle so that they can
be offset relatively to each other in a longitudinal direction of
the driving school vehicle in order to alter the distance (A5)
between the instructor's seat and the pedal means.
74. Instructor's post according to claim 72 or claim 73,
characterized in that the instructor's seat is arranged on rails or
in grooves extending in parallel to each other and that it is
shiftable on them.
75. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 72 to 74,
characterized in that the instructor's seat has a seat surface
(7.5) that is above a seat surface of the driver's seat in
height.
76. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 72 to 75,
characterized in that the instructor's seat (1.5) has a seat member
(31.5) and a pneumatic spring or suspension means (5.5) on which
the seat member (31.5) is supported.
77. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 72 to 76,
characterized in that the instructor's seat (1.5) has height
adjusting means for adjusting the height of the instructor's seat
(1.5) above the bottom chassis group (9.5) of the driving school
vehicle.
78. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 72 to 77,
characterized in that the instructor's seat (1.5) has a backrest
member (2.5) and pivot means for adjusting the inclination of the
backrest member (2.5) in relation to the seat surface (7.5) of the
seat member (31.5).
79. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 72 to 78,
characterized in that the instructor's side pedal means (80.5) is
coupled to the driver's side pedal means (90.5) by means of
hydraulic means.
80. Instructor's post according to claim 79, characterized in that
the hydraulic means has at least one flexible pressure line (90,
91, 92).
81. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 72 to 80,
characterized in that the instructor's seat (1.5) has a holding
device (12.5) to which the instructor's side pedal means (80.5) is
attached to.
82. Instructor's post according to claim 81, characterized in that
the holding device (12.5) has means (17.5, 18.5) for adjusting the
distance (A5) between the instructor's seat (1.5) and the
instructor's side pedal means (80.5).
83. Instructor's post according to claim 82, characterized in that
the instructor's side pedal means is moveable on the holding device
to adjust the distance between the instructor's seat and the
instructor's side pedal means.
84. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 72 to 83,
characterized in that the holding device (12.5) of the instructor's
side pedal means (80.5) is fixed to a a seat member (31.5) of the
instructor's seat (1.5).
85. Instructor's post according to claim 84, characterized in that
the instructor's side pedal means (80.5) has a casing and that the
holding means (12.5) has two guides (17.5, 18.5) extending in
parallel to each other, in which the pedal means (80.5) having the
casing is moveable and lockable.
86. Instructor's post according to claim 85, characterized in that
the instructor's side pedal means (80.5) is insertable in the
guides (17.5, 18.5) and removable therefrom.
87. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 72 to 86,
characterized in that the instructor's post has a display device
(15.5) that shows the instructor lateral surroundings of the
driving school vehicle and/or surroundings on the back of the
driving school vehicle.
88. Instructor's post for a driving school vehicle, particularly a
truck or a bus, comprising an instructor's seat (1.5) in the cap
(10.5) of the driving school vehicle, instructor's side pedal means
(80.5) to be operated by the instructor, the pedal means (80.5)
being coupled to a driver's side pedal means (90.5) for controlling
the driver's side pedal means (90.5) and forming a double pedal
device together with the driver's pedal means, characterized by a
display device (15.5) showing the instructor at least one view of
the surroundings of the driving school vehicle.
89. Instructor's post according to claim 88, characterized in that
the display device (15.5) shows the instructor a left side and/or
right side and/or back side and/or frontal view of surroundings of
the driving school vehicle.
90. Instructor's post according to claim 89, characterized in that
the display device has a plurality of display fields each showing a
view of surroundings of the driving school vehicle.
91. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 88 to 90,
characterized in that the instructor's post has coupling means
(13.5) that couple the display device to a video camera or a
plurality of video cameras being attached to the driving school
vehicle that detect the view or views of surroundings of the
driving school vehicle to display the views of surroundings on the
display device.
92. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 88 to 91,
characterized in that the display device is attached to the
instructor's seat.
93. Instructor's post according to claim 92, characterized in that
the instructor's side pedal means (80.5) is attached to a seat
member (31.5) of the instructor's seat by means of a holding device
(12.5) and that the display device (15.5) is attached to a display
holding device (12.5) which is attached to the holding device
(12.5) of the instructor's side pedal means (80.5).
94. Instructor's post for a driving school vehicle, particularly a
truck or a bus, comprising an instructor's seat (1.5) in the cap
(10.5) of the driving school vehicle, the instructor's seat (1.5)
is arranged or fixed in a middle area between a driver's seat and a
passenger's seat on the base group of the driving school
vehicle.
95. Instructor's post for a driving school vehicle, particularly a
truck or a bus, comprising instructor's side pedal means (80.5) to
be operated by the instructor, the pedal means (80.5) being coupled
to a driver's side pedal means (90.5) for controlling the driver's
side pedal means (90.5), which together form a double pedal device,
and comprising at least one pedal (99), characterized in that a
footrest (7.6) for the instructor is provided which is arranged in
an area above the pedal (99).
96. Instructor's post according to claim 95, characterized in that
the footrest (7.6) is arranged with distance from the pedals in
horizontal direction away from the instructor.
97. Instructor's post according to claim 95 or claim 96,
characterized in that the footrest (7.6) comprises a rest tube
(71.6) extending horizontally.
98. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 95 to 97,
characterized in that the instructor's side pedal means (80.5) is
attached to a vertical inner cover (43.6) or a vertical portion of
chassis by means of a holding device (1.6).
99. Instructor's post according to claim 98, characterized in that
the holding device (1.6) comprises a frame having two vertical bars
(6.6, 6.16) extending in parallel and in distance to each other, a
base plate (2.6) on which the vertical bars (6.6, 6.16) stand
perpendicularly, and a grip portion (12.6) wherein the vertical
bars (6.6, 6.16) extend between the base plate (2.6) and the grip
portion (12.6), the footrest (7.6), and an attachment frame (10.6,
11.6) for attaching the pedal means (80.5) to the holding device
(1.6).
100. Instructor's post according to claim 99, characterized in that
the attachment frame (10.6, 11.6) is inclined relative to the plane
of the vertical bars (6.6, 6.16) and towards an instructor's seat
(30.6) and that an angle is formed between the attachment frame and
the vertical bars.
101. Instructor's post for a driving school vehicle, particularly a
truck or bus, comprising an instructor's side control unit (20.6)
that is coupled to electrical installations of the driving school
vehicle for controlling of the driving operation.
102. Instructor's post according to claim 101, characterized in
that the control unit (20.6) has a controlling stick or joy
stick.
103. Instructor's post according to claim 102, characterized in
that the control unit (20.6) comprises a control stick (20.16)
having a grip (21.6) and a control knob (22.6), an angled member,
and an attachment member (25.6) wherein the control knob (20.16) is
coupled to one end of the angled member (24.6), wherein the angled
member is coupled to the attachment member with its other end, and
wherein the attachment member is coupled to the driving school
vehicle, and coupling means (23.6) for coupling the control unit
(20.6) to the electrical facility of the driving school
vehicle.
104. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 101 to 103,
characterized in that the control unit (20.6) and/or the attachment
member (25.6) is rigidly attached to an instructor's seat (30.6) of
the instructor's post.
105. Instructor's post according to claim 103 or claim 104,
characterized in that the control unit (20.6) or its control knob
(22.6) has one switch or a plurality of switches (26.6) or
electrical operation means for electrical switching of functions of
the electrical installations of the driving school vehicle.
106. Instructor's post according to claim 105, characterized in
that the switches (26.6) or the electrical operation means of the
control unit (20.6) are connected or coupled to the electrical
installations of the driving school vehicle via the coupling means
(23.6).
107. Instructor's post according to claim 106, characterized in
that the coupling means (23.6) are a cable.
108. Instructor's post according to claim 107, characterized in
that the coupling means (23.6) are a telemetric device.
109. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 101 to 108,
characterized in that the control unit (20.6) is attached to an
instructor's seat (30.6) of the instructor's post.
110. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 101 to 109,
characterized in that the control stick (20.16) of the control unit
(20.6) is arranged near the free end of an armrest (32.6) of the
instructor's seat so that the instructor is able to grasp by hand
the grip (21.6) of the control stick (20.16) and, particularly, to
reach the switch (26.6) with the thumb if the forearm rests.
111. Instructor's post according to one of the claims 101 to 110,
characterized in that a display device is attached to the control
unit (20.6).
112. Instructor's post according to claim 111, characterized in
that the display device is coupled to a video camera on the driving
school vehicle via further coupling means.
113. Instructor's post according to claim 111 or claim 112,
characterized in that the display device is attached to the control
knob (22.6) of the control stick (20.16) of the control unit (20.6)
or a top side of the control knob.
114. Instructor's post for a driving school vehicle, particularly a
truck or a bus, comprising instructor's side pedal means (80.5) to
be operated by the instructor, the pedal means being coupled to a
driver's side pedal means (90.5) for controlling the driver's side
pedal means (90.5), the pedal means forming a double pedal device,
and wherein a pedal linkage (60, 61) of the pedal means (80.5) is
covered by a flexible cover (601, 602) being folded.
115. Instructor's post according to claim 114, characterized in
that the cover (601, 602) is made of elastic rubber or
india-rubber.
116. Driving school vehicle having a double pedal device according
to one of the claims 1 to 26 and/or at least one pedal unit
according to one of the claims 27 to 39 and/or at least one
actuator according to one of the claims 43 to 48 an/or an
instructor's post according to one of the claims 72 to 87 and/or an
instructor's post according to one of the claims 88 to 115.
117. Driving school vehicle having a double pedal device according
to one of the claims 49 to 71 and/or at least one pedal unit
according to one of the claims 27 to 39 and/or at least one
actuator according to one of the claims 40 to 42 and/or an
instructor's post according to one of the claims 72 to 87 and/or an
instructor's post according to one of the claims 88 to 115.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a driving school vehicle, a
double pedal device having hydraulic coupling, a pedal unit,
actuators, and a driving instructor post for use in a driving
school vehicle.
[0002] In the WO 85/03369 a relevant pedal set assembly for a
driving school vehicle is described. The known assembly has a first
set of pedals having a brake pedal and a clutch pedal which are
located on the driver's side in a vehicle and which are operated by
the learner or driver during the driving lessons, and a second set
of pedals again comprising a brake pedal and a clutch pedal which
are located on the passenger's side and which are operated by the
driving instructor during the driving lessons. The brake pedal on
the instructor's side is coupled to the brake pedal on the driver's
side via hydraulic means. In addition, the clutch pedal on the
passenger's side is coupled to the clutch pedal on the driver's
side via coupling means in the driving school vehicle. When the
instructor operates the brake pedal or the clutch pedal, this
operation or movement of the pedals is transferred to the
corresponding pedals on the driver's side by the hydraulic
means.
[0003] The driving instructor operates his pedals generally then if
a dangerous situation or an emergency occurs, for instance, if the
driver has overseen a necessary operation of the brake or in order
to show the driver the appropriate operation of the pedals due to
the cooperative operation of the instructor's pedals in an
exemplified manner.
[0004] Each of the known hydraulic coupling means comprises a
driving pressure cylinder having a piston rod that is mounted on
the respective pedal on the instructor's side, a driven pressure
cylinder having a piston rod as pressure cylinder means being
connected to the corresponding pedal on the driver's side, and a
fixed pressure line between both pressure cylinders.
[0005] Since the operation of a pedal on the instructor's side
transfers the power or force of operating the pedal directly via
the related piston rod to the column of liquid in the hydraulic
coupling system, a buckling, bending or warping of the piston rod
can occur which results in the piston rod and the associated
pressure piston in the related pressure cylinder to become stuck,
and, further, in consequence, results in degradation of the
function of the hydraulic pedal coupling. This often insidiously or
slowly advancing malfunction may lead in case of emergency, e.g. an
emergency stop that has to be initiated by the driving instructor,
to an accident.
[0006] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
create a double pedal device of a driving school vehicle, which
securely avoids a malfunction due to bending or warping of the
piston rod of the hydraulic coupling means.
[0007] This object is solved by the driving school vehicle
according to claim 116 and claim 117, and particularly by the
double pedal device according to claim 1 or claim 49, by the pedal
unit according to claim 27 or by the actuators according to claim
40 or claim 43 for use in the double pedal device.
[0008] Correspondingly, the double pedal device of the invention to
be used in a driving school vehicle has at least one pedal on the
driver's side, at least one pedal on the passenger's side, and
hydraulic means coupling the pedal on the driver's side to the
pedal on the passenger's side so that on operating the pedal on the
passenger's side the pedal on the driver's side is operated, too,
wherein the hydraulic means comprises at least a pressure cylinder
means being coupled to the pedal on the passenger's side, at least
one pressure cylinder means on the passenger's side being coupled
to the pedal on the passenger's side and being symmetrical to an
axis of symmetry, and at least one pressure pipe, line or conduit
that couples the pressure cylinder means on the driver's side to
the pressure cylinder means on the passenger's side hydraulically,
wherein sliding means that are coupled mechanically to the pedal
and the pressure cylinder means on the passenger's side for
transferring power or force between pedal and the pressure cylinder
means or mater cylinder means on the passenger's side, and guiding
means on which the sliding means are supported preferably moveably
such that only a force or force component acts in the direction of
the axis of symmetry of the pressure cylinder means during the
transfer of force from the pedal on the passenger's side to the
pressure cylinder means.
[0009] The present invention has the decisive advantage that only
horizontal forces, i.e. only forces in the direction of the axis of
symmetry of the pressure cylinder means act, can act on the
pressure cylinder means, and thus a bending or warping of the
piston rod of the pressure cylinder means is avoided. Thus, the
problems of the state of the art explained above are eliminated by
the invention.
[0010] A pedal unit for use in a double pedal device, particularly
on the passenger's side of a driving school vehicle, has at least
one pedal and at least one pressure cylinder means being
mechanically coupled to the pedal and being symmetrical to an axis
of symmetry, wherein sliding means or a slider being mechanically
coupled to the pedal and the pressure cylinder means for
transferring power or force between the pedal and the pressure
cylinder means, and guiding means are provided on which the sliding
means is supported moveably or slideably such that only a force or
a force component acts in the direction of the axis of symmetry of
the pressure cylinder means during the transfer of force from the
pedal to the pressure cylinder means.
[0011] Preferably, the guiding device comprises a guiding rod on
which the slider or sliding means are supported moveably or
slidably wherein the sliding means is supported on the guiding rod
by a linear bearing or support. The use of linear bearing or
support facilitates that the sliding means transfers only the
linear horizontal component of the force onto the pressure cylinder
device.
[0012] Preferably, the pedal unit on the passenger's side comprises
at least two identical pressure cylinder means, the axes of
symmetry thereof are arranged in parallel to each other and with
distance to each other in the same plane. This so-called tandem
cylinder facilitates the implementation of a big stroke of the
pedal on the driver's side, wherein the pedal unit on the
passenger's side has a small and compact size.
[0013] Preferably, the sliding means is made of plastic or
synthetic resin, particularly polyethylene in order to provide a
sufficient elasticity of the sliding means in the case of
fluctuations of the temperature.
[0014] An actuator for use in the double pedal device of the
invention and for engagement in a pedal on the driver's side of the
driving school vehicle comprises a hydraulic pressure cylinder
means and a moveable catch means that is moved by the pressure
cylinder means of the actuator and is in engagement with the pedal
on the driver's side.
[0015] The catch means has preferably a catch or carrier, which is
covered at least partly by nylon or a similar material with low
friction in order to avoid tilting or abrasion of the pedal lever
at the catch.
[0016] A further actuator for use in the double pedal device of the
invention and for engagement into a pedal on the driver's side of a
driving school vehicle comprises a hydraulic pressure cylinder and
a gear or gearing that converts a movement of the pressure cylinder
of the actuator into a movement of the pedal being engaged in the
actuator on the driver's side. A relatively small stroke or
operation of the pressure cylinder on the driver's side can be
converted by the gear into a big adjustment or movement of the
pedal being coupled.
[0017] The present invention relates also to a double pedal device
for use in a driving school vehicle, particularly with an automatic
transmission.
[0018] When a driving school vehicle has an automatic transmission,
then the set of pedals on the driver's side comprises an
accelerator pedal and a brake pedal. A clutch pedal is omitted in a
vehicle with automatic transmission. When the driver or learner
operates the accelerator pedal wrongly, e.g. too strong operation
of the accelerator in a curve etc., a dangerous situation may occur
during a driving lesson. A double pedal device for a driving school
vehicle should therefore allow the correction of a wrong operation
of the accelerator pedal caused by the learner.
[0019] A double pedal device of the invention, which allows this
correction, is mentioned in claim 49. Correspondingly, the double
pedal device of the invention, which particularly may be used in a
driving school vehicle having automatic transmission, has a
driver's side accelerator pedal on the side of the learner, a
passenger's side accelerator pedal on the side of the instructor,
and coupling means that couple the driver's side accelerator pedal
to the accelerator pedal on the passenger's side so that in the
case of operation of the passenger's side accelerator pedal also
the driver's side accelerator pedal is operated with increasing gas
or acceleration, wherein, on the side of the instructor, an anti
accelerator pedal or an anti gas pedal is provided in addition, and
wherein the coupling means couple the accelerator pedal or gas
pedal on the driver's side to the anti gas pedal on the passenger's
side so that in the case of operation of the passenger's side anti
gas pedal the driver's side accelerator pedal is operated with
decreasing gas.
[0020] Thus, the double pedal device of the invention having anti
gas has the remarkable advantage, that the instructor can perform a
taking back of the gas by operating the anti gas pedal, and thus he
can cancel or take back an inadequate operation of the gas pedal by
the learner, whereby dangerous situations also during driving the
driving school vehicle can be eliminated.
[0021] The coupling means of the invention may be, for instance,
pure mechanical coupling means that, for instance, uses ropes or
tackle lines. However, hydraulic means are preferred as coupling
means which comprise accelerator pedal hydraulic means being
engaged in the accelerator pedal on the driver's side, accelerator
pedal hydraulic means on the passenger's side which are coupled to
the accelerator pedal on the passenger's side, and anti gas pedal
hydraulic means being coupled to the anti gas pedal on the
passenger's side, and pressure pipe means connecting the gas pedal
hydraulic means on the driver's side to the gas pedal hydraulic
means on the passenger's side and to the anti gas pedal hydraulic
means on the passenger's side hydraulically.
[0022] Preferably, the accelerator pedal hydraulic means on the
driver's side, the accelerator pedal hydraulic means on the
passenger's side and the anti gas pedal hydraulic means on the
passenger's side each have at least one pressure cylinder
means.
[0023] The anti gas pedal hydraulic means may have sliding means
being mechanically coupled to the anti gas pedal on the passenger's
side and to the associated pressure cylinder means for power
transfer between the anti gas pedal and the pressure cylinder
means, and guiding means on which the sliding means are supported
in a sliding or movable manner.
[0024] In this case it would be preferred that only a force or a
force component towards an axis of symmetry of the pressure
cylinder means acts onto the associated pressure cylinder means in
the case of transferring the force from the anti gas pedal to the
associated pressure cylinder means. Hereby a sticking or a tilting
of a pressure cylinder rod is prevented.
[0025] The anti gas pedal hydraulic means of the passenger's side
preferably comprise two pressure cylinder means, the axes of
symmetry thereof are arranged in parallel and in distance to each
other in the same plane. This so-called tandem cylinder has the
advantage that it facilitates converting a stroke of the anti gas
pedal into a twice as big stroke of an anti gas actuator of the
driver's side even in the case of very compact and small
construction of the anti gas pedal hydraulic means.
[0026] Preferably, the accelerator pedal hydraulic means of the
driver's side comprises actuator means on the driver's side of the
vehicle, which engage in the driver's side accelerator pedal, and
has at least one pressure cylinder means.
[0027] The actuating means may have a gas or accelerator actuator
for increasing gas and an anti gas or anti accelerator actuator for
taking back of gas.
[0028] Further, the accelerator pedal of the driver's side can be
adjusted between a position of zero gas in which the gas or
accelerator pedal is not operated, and a position of maximum gas in
which maximum or full gas is adjusted. In this process, the anti
gas actuator moves the driver's side accelerator pedal in the
direction from the maximum gas position to the zero gas position if
the passenger's side anti gas pedal is operated, and, in this case,
the gas actuator moves the driver's side gas pedal in the direction
from the zero gas position to the maximum gas position if the
passenger's side gas pedal is operated.
[0029] The present invention relates also to an instructor's post
or stand for use in a driving school vehicle, particularly a truck
or a bus, comprising an instructor's seat, i.e. a seat of the
vehicle to be used by the instructor, in the cap or cell of the
driving school vehicle.
[0030] Known instructor's posts, particularly in trucks or busses,
which are also used for sake of driving school, generally use the
passenger's seat in the cap of the vehicle. The passenger's seat is
designed in most cases, particularly in busses, only as auxiliary
seat that provides only insufficient ergonomic conditions for the
instructor. Further, the passenger's seat is distant from the seat
on the driver's side so far that the instructor can control the
learner during a driving lesson only with difficulty which can lead
to dangerous situations during the driving school lessons. Thus, an
instructor's post is desired which improves the ergonomic
conditions of the driving instructor.
[0031] This object is solved by the driving school vehicle
according to claim 116 or claim 117, and particularly by the
driving instructor's post according to claim 72, claim 88, claim
94, claim 95, claim 101, or claim 114. Accordingly, the
instructor's post of the invention for the driving school vehicle,
particularly for use in a truck or a bus, has an instructor's seat,
i.e. a seat in the vehicle for use by the instructor, in the cap of
the driving school vehicle, and instructor's side pedal means in a
double pedal device for operation by the instructor wherein the
instructor's side pedal means are coupled to driver's side pedal
means for controlling the driver's side pedal means of the double
pedal device, and wherein a distance between the vehicle seat and
the instructor's side pedal means can be adjusted. The instructor's
post can be adapted to the dimensions or measures of the respective
instructor by means of adjustment ability of the distance between
the instructor's seat and the pedal means. Thereby, the instructor
has a more relaxed and more convenient position of the body during
the driving lesson, which contributes to an improved power of
concentration of the instructor.
[0032] The vehicle seat of the instructor and/or the pedal means of
the instructor's post can be arranged in longitudinal direction of
the driving school vehicle in the cap of the driving school vehicle
in a shiftable or moveable manner for changing the distance between
the vehicle seat and the instructor's side pedal means.
[0033] The instructor's seat may be arranged preferably on or in
rails or grooves in the floor pan of the vehicle, which extend in
parallel to each other and then the instructor's seat can be
shifted thereon. The instructor's side pedal group can be fixed to
the base or floor pan of the vehicle or the pedal means can be
formed shiftably or in an easily moveable manner.
[0034] For instance, the pedal means may be mounted on the floor
pan of the vehicle by means of an easily releasable Velcro
fastener. If the distance between the pedal means and the seat
should be changed, the Velcro fastener may easily released and the
pedal means can be arranged in the new position with changed
distance as desired. The surface of the Velcro fastener on the
floor pan of the vehicle is formed to be bigger with regard to the
surface than the adhering surface of the Velcro fastener on the
pedal means in order to allow a corresponding adjustment of the
distance between seat and pedal group.
[0035] Preferably, the instructor's seat has a seat surface that is
arranged more higher than the seat surface of the driver's seat in
order to facilitate a better view of the learner's driving action
and driving operation by the instructor.
[0036] The instructor's seat has preferably a seat portion or
member and pneumatic spring action means supporting the seat
portion. The pneumatic spring or air suspension allows a convenient
and comfortable sitting of the instructor and, in addition,
adjusting the height of the seat by a height adjusting means for
adjusting the height of the instructor's seat above the driving
school vehicle floor pan.
[0037] The instructor's seat may also comprise a backrest member
and a pivoting arrangement for adjusting the inclination of the
backrest member relative to the seat surface of the seat portion
whereby an additional adjusting possibility and, thus, a even more
comfortable or yet more ergonomic sitting position of the
instructor can be attained.
[0038] The instructor's side pedal means are preferably coupled to
the driver's side pedal means via hydraulic means. Further, the
hydraulic means may have a flexible pressure line, pipe or conduit
for transferring an actuating pressure to the driver's side pedal.
The use of flexible pressure lines in the hydraulic means has the
advantage that the instructor's side pedal means may be easily
shifted or displaced for adapting to the instructor's seat without
requiring mounting efforts for the rearrangement of coupling lines
between the pedal groups.
[0039] The instructor's seat has preferably a rack or support on
which the instructor's side pedal means is mounted. This has the
advantage that the instructor's post having a seat and pedal means
is formed in unit that can be mounted in one step of work into the
driving school vehicle and it can be also demounted easily again if
required. Then a position of the pedal means relative to the seat
on the rack, which has been adjusted once, can be maintained. The
same instructor then must not readjust the instructor's post each
time when the instructor's post is mounted in the vehicle. Here it
is also preferred that the rack comprises means for adjusting the
distance between the instructor's seat and the instructor's side
pedal means or that the rack can be adjusted easily.
[0040] The instructor's side pedal means may be shiftably mounted
on the rack for adjusting the distance between the instructor's
seat and the instructor's pedal means.
[0041] The rack for the instructor's side pedal means is preferably
mounted on the seat portion of the instructor's seat. This
facilitates that the pedal means always maintain the adjusted
position relative to the seat surface even when the seat itself
should be readjusted in height.
[0042] The rack may have a guide in which the instructor's side
pedal means can be moved or locked. In addition, the instructor's
side pedal means can be inserted into the guide or it can be
removed there from.
[0043] The present invention relates also to an instructor's post
or stand for a driving school vehicle, particularly a truck or a
bus, having a vehicle seat for the instructor in the driver's cap
of the driving school vehicle and pedal means for operation by the
instructor wherein the instructor's side pedal means are coupled to
driver's side pedal means for controlling the driver's side pedal
means and wherein display means, particularly an electronic
display, is provided which shows to the instructor at least a view
of the surroundings of the driving school vehicle.
[0044] The display means has the remarkable advantage that the
instructor may catch the current driving situation completely even
when his angle of view to the exterior mirror is different to the
learner's angle of view or even only restricted. The instructor can
observe, for instance, the blind angle by using the display device.
Thus, this contributes remarkably in making the driving schoolwork
more safely.
[0045] The display may have several display fields each of which
can show a different view of the surroundings of the driving school
vehicle. For instance, a left side, right side view of the
surroundings, a rear view an/or a front view of the driving school
vehicle and of its surroundings may be shown whereby the
instructor's possibilities for observing can be improved.
[0046] The instructor's post has preferably coupling means, for
instance, an easily pluggable connection or connector having
corresponding plugs and cables, which connect or couple the display
means to a video camera or to several video cameras mounted on the
driving school vehicle which catch the view(s) of surroundings of
the driving school vehicle for displaying the views of surroundings
on the display means.
[0047] The display means are preferably fixed to the instructor's
seat in order to attain an instructor's post in one unit. The
support for the display means may be mounted on the seat member of
the instructor's seat.
[0048] The present invention also relates to an instructor's post
or an instructor's seat device for use in a driving school vehicle,
particularly a truck or a bus, having a vehicle seat for the
instructor in the cap of the vehicle wherein the instructor's seat
is arranged or mounted in a middle area between a driver's seat and
a passenger's seat on the floor pan or chassis base group of the
driving school vehicle.
[0049] Known instructor's posts, particularly in trucks or busses,
which also are used for the purposes of driving schools, use
generally the passenger's seat in the driver's cap of the vehicle.
The passenger's seat is in most cases only formed as auxiliary
seat, particularly in busses, which only offers insufficient
ergonomic conditions for the instructor. Further, the passenger's
seat is distant to the seat on the driver's side such far that the
instructor can control the learner during a driving lesson only
with difficulties, which may lead to dangerous situations during
the driving lessons. Therefore, an instructor's post is desired
which improves the ergonomic conditions of the instructor and,
therefore, enhances the security during the driving lessons.
[0050] This object is solved by the instructor's post according to
claim 94, claim 95, claim 101 or claim 114. Correspondingly the
instructor's post of the invention to be used in a driving school
vehicle, particularly in a truck or in a bus, has an instructor's
side pedal device to be operated by the instructor wherein the
pedal means is coupled to driver's side pedal means for controlling
the driver's side pedal means which together form a double pedal
device, and it has at least one pedal, and a footrest for the
instructor which is arranged in a region above the pedal.
[0051] The instructor's post of the invention for a driving school
vehicle, particularly a truck or a bus, has an instructor's side
controlling unit, which is coupled to an electrical arrangement or
device of the driving school vehicle for controlling the driving
operation.
[0052] The instructor's post or the double pedal device of the
invention for a driving school vehicle particularly a truck or a
bus has instructor's side pedal means for operation by the
instructor, wherein the pedal means are coupled to a driver's side
pedal means for controlling the driver's side pedal means and
wherein a pedal linkage of the pedal means is surrounded by a
folded and flexible sleeve or cover.
[0053] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention
are mentioned in the dependent claims.
[0054] Further advantages, advantageous embodiments and uses of the
present invention result from the following description of
preferred and exemplified embodiments of the invention in
connection with the enclosed drawings, which show:
[0055] FIG. 1 a schematic perspective view of a preferred pedal
unit in the double pedal device of FIGS. 4 and 5 according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0056] FIG. 2 a perspective, partly cut away and separated view of
a preferred actuator on the driver's side for use in the double
pedal device of FIGS. 4 and 5 according to a preferred embodiment
of the invention;
[0057] FIG. 3 a separated, partly sectional perspective view of a
further preferred actuator on the driver's side of the vehicle for
use in the double pedal device of FIGS. 4 and 5 according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0058] FIG. 4 a perspective view of the driver's side pedal means
of a preferred embodiment of the double pedal device of the
invention, which may be used in the instructor's post of FIGS. 11
and 12 and also in the instructor's post of FIGS. 13, 14 and 15,
inclusively the components of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;
[0059] FIG. 5 a perspective view of the passenger's side pedal
means of a preferred embodiment of the double pedal device of the
invention wherein both pedal means of FIGS. 4 and 5 are connected
to each other at the interfaces A, B and C and wherein the
passenger's side pedal means and the instructor's side pedal means
may be used in the instructor's post of FIGS. 11 and 12 and also in
the instructor's post of FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, inclusively the
components of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;
[0060] FIG. 6 a schematic perspective view of a preferred pedal
unit to be used in the double pedal device with anti gas of FIGS. 9
and 10 according to a further preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0061] FIG. 7 a perspective partly cut off and separated view of an
actuator on the driver's side for use in the double pedal device of
FIGS. 9 and 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0062] FIG. 8 a separated partly cut off perspective view of a
further actuator on the driver's side of the vehicle for use in the
double pedal device of FIGS. 9 and 10 according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention;
[0063] FIG. 9 a perspective view of the driver's side pedal means
of a further preferred embodiment of the double pedal device of the
invention which may be used in the instructor's post of FIGS. 11
and 12 and also in the instructor's post of FIGS. 13, 14 and 15,
inclusively the components of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8;
[0064] FIG. 10 a perspective view of the passenger's side pedal
means of the further preferred embodiment of the double pedal
device of the invention with anti gas pedal wherein both parts
according to FIGS. 9 and 10 are connected to each other at the
interfaces A2, B2 and C2 and wherein the passenger's side pedal of
FIG. 9 may also be used in the instructor's post of FIGS. 11 and 12
and also in the instructor's post of FIGS. 13, 14 and 15,
inclusively the components of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8;
[0065] FIG. 11 a schematic lateral view of the driver's cap of a
driving school vehicle with a mounted instructor's post according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention, to be seen in the
direction of the arrow I of FIG. 12;
[0066] FIG. 12 a schematic plane view of the separated instructor's
post of FIG. 11, to be seen in the direction of the arrow II of
FIG. 11;
[0067] FIG. 13 a perspective plane view of an instructor's post
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising an
instructor's seat, a controlling unit and a rack for an
instructor's side pedal means wherein the instructor's post is
mounted in a cap of a driving school vehicle;
[0068] FIG. 14 a perspective view of the instructor's post of the
embodiment of the invention of FIG. 13 being seen from the
passenger's side of the driving school vehicle; and
[0069] FIG. 15 a perspective detailed view of the embodiment of
FIGS. 13 and 14 wherein the rack for the instructor's side pedal
means is shown in more detail.
[0070] FIG. 2 shows an actuator 10 in a separated perspective and
partly cut off view. The actuator 10 comprises a cylindrical hollow
actuator casing 14 being opened at its end, a pressure cylinder 11
that extends at least partly within the cavity of the actuator
casing 14 and concentrically to an axis of the actuator casing 14,
a piston rod 18 which is coupled to the pressure cylinder 11 within
the cavity of the actuator casing 14 by means of a pressure
cylinder piston not shown in the drawing and which is connected to
a catch cylinder 17 at its other end in a fixedly manner, which is
fitted in the actuator casing 14 in a slideable or moveable manner
and which can be moved back and forth along the axis of the
actuator casing 14 within the cavity, and a spring 16 extending
between the other end of the actuator casing 14 concentrically to
the axis of the actuator casing 14, i.e. in more detail between the
catch cylinder 17 and an actuator support 19 made of synthetic
resin, which terminates the other end of the actuator casing
14.
[0071] The pressure cylinder 11 is made of stainless steel or
aluminium and it is hydraulically coupled to an associated pressure
pipe or pressure line of the hydraulic coupling means by means of a
hollow screw 13 being fixed at the end of the pressure cylinder 11
and having a screwable thread socket. The pressure cylinder 11 is
arranged concentrically to the axis of the actuator casing 14
within the cavity or hollow space of the actuator casing 14. The
pressure cylinder 11 has grooves 12 extending radially and
annularly on the exterior surface of the pressure cylinder 11 and
at its end towards the hollow screw 13. Pins 20 engage in the
grooves 12, which pass through corresponding holes in the wall of
the actuator casing 14 in order to fix the pressure cylinder 11 on
the actuator casing 14.
[0072] According to FIG. 2, the pressure cylinder 11 has five of
these radial grooves 12 on the whole wherein two neighbouring
grooves cannot be seen in FIG. 2 since they are covered by the
whole of the actuator casing 14, but they are engaged in both
fixing pins 20 shown.
[0073] During establishing the actuator 10, one can determine by
means of the radial grooves 12 and the pins 20 cooperating with the
grooves how far the pressure cylinder 11 extends into the actuator
casing 14 or projects from the end of the actuator casing whereby
the position of the catch 15 along the actuator casing 14 in its
initial position can be adjusted in which no pressure acts on the
pressure cylinder 11, and therefore the maximum stroke of the catch
15 of the actuator 10 in adaptation to the respectively given
construction of the associated pedal can be adjusted. Thus, the
actuator 10 can be adapted to the pedals of different types of
vehicles and to vehicles having different stroke of pedal.
[0074] Within the pressure cylinder 11, there is located a pressure
piston (not shown) on which the hydraulic pressure existing in the
pressure cylinder acts. The pressure piston is sealingly and
moveably supported within the pressure cylinder 11 so that
hydraulic liquid cannot escape from the pressure cylinder 11. The
pressure piston is connected to a piston rod 18 within the pressure
cylinder 11 which projects from the pressure cylinder 11 within the
actuator casing 14 and which extends concentrically to the axis of
the cylindrical actuator casing 14.
[0075] At the other end of the piston rod 18, the catch cylinder 17
is accommodated which is moveable back and forth within the
actuator casing 14 along the axis of the actuator casing 14 and
which moves depending on the pressure of the hydraulic pressure
cylinder 11. The catch cylinder 17 can be made of stainless steel,
aluminium, or a synthetic resin and is formed preferably in a solid
manner.
[0076] The catch 15 is fixed to the external surface of the catch
cylinder 17 and it has a hooked contour if seen in the front
elevation wherein the opening of the hooked catch 15 points to the
end of the actuator casing 14 with the actuator support 19. The
catch 15 has a catch leg extending in parallel to the axis of the
actuator casing 14, and a catch basis mounted on the catch cylinder
17. The catch may be provided with a synthetic resin, particularly
nylon, on its surface.
[0077] The opening of the catch, i.e. the region between the
external wall of the actuator casing 14 and the surfaces of the
catch 15 which are adjacent to the opening of the catch, is formed
so that the pedal lever, to which the actuator 10 is coupled, fits
into the catch opening of the catch 15 in order to assure a secure
operation of the associated pedal or pedal lever.
[0078] The spring 16 is accommodated in the cavity of the actuator
casing 14 between the actuator support 19 and the catch cylinder
17, which is formed as a compression spring and which pushes the
moveable catch cylinder in the cavity of the actuator casing 14
towards the pressure cylinder 11.
[0079] The actuator support 19 is fitted into the cavity of the
actuator casing 14 at the corresponding end of the actuator casing
14 and it terminates the corresponding end of the actuator casing
14. The actuator support 19 serves as an opposing or counter
support of the spring 16 and for mounting or fixing the actuator 10
on the chassis of the vehicle on the driver's side in the region of
the pedal or on a basic plate 96 separately provided which is
mounted or accommodated in the area of the pedal of the vehicle on
the driver's side. The actuator support 19 can also be formed as
articulation or joint in order to mount the actuator 10 on the
chassis or the basic plate 96 in the region of the pedal on the
driver's side in a jointed or articulate manner.
[0080] A slot 21 is formed in the wall of the actuator casing 14
which extends in parallel and along the axis of the actuator casing
14 and through which the catch 15 of the catch cylinder 17 projects
from the actuator casing 14. The free width of the slot 21 or of
the recess is adapted to the thickness or dimension of the catch 15
so that the catch 15 is able to move freely back and forth. The
length of the slot 21 corresponds at least to the maximum allowable
stroke of the catch 15. The slot 21 may be formed with regard to
its dimension so that a guiding of the catch 15 is carried out by
the walls of the slot.
[0081] When the pressure cylinder 11 of the actuator 10 is provided
with pressure by operation of the associated pedal on the
passenger's side, i.e. by the driving school instructor, the piston
rod 18 and thus the catch cylinder 17 and the catch 15 are shifted
towards the actuator support 19 against the compression force of
the spring 16 whereby the pedal being engaged is operated on the
driver's side. When subsequently the operation of the pedal on the
passenger's side is taken back, also the hydraulic pressure in the
pressure cylinder 11 decreases and the catch cylinder 17 together
with the catch 15 is shifted or moved in the opposite direction,
i.e. towards the pressure cylinder 11, by the spring 16 until a
balance between the pressure force of the pressure cylinder 11 and
the compression force of the spring 16 is provided. When the
instructor takes back the pedal pressure or the pedal action yet
further until a pedal operation on the passenger's side does not
longer exist, the spring 16 shifts or pushes the catch cylinder 17
along with the catch 15 more and more into the direction the
pressure cylinder 11 until the catch 15 reaches its starting or
initial position, in which there isn't any pressure action by the
pressure cylinder 11, but only a pressure is given by action of the
spring 16.
[0082] FIG. 3 shows an actuator 30 in a view corresponding to FIG.
2. The actuator 30 has an actuator casing 34 having a pressure
cylinder 31 with grooves 32 extending radially on the surface, and
a terminating hollow screw 33, a catch 35 or support which projects
from the actuator casing 34, a spring 36, which is formed as a
compression spring, and a moveable cylinder 37 in the interior of
the actuator casing 34 which is connected to a piston rod (not
shown in FIG. 3) on one of its ends, wherein the piston rod extends
into the pressure cylinder 31 and is connected to a pressure piston
in the interior of the pressure cylinder 31. The pressure cylinder
31 can be adjusted and fixed on the actuator casing 34 by the
grooves 32, and the fixing pins 40.
[0083] The configuration and the function of the elements 31, 32,
33, 34, 36 and 39 of a actuator support and of a slot 51 are
identical to the configuration and function of the corresponding
elements of the actuator 10 which is shown in FIG. 2. Concerning a
detailed description of the configuration and the function of these
elements, it is referred to the explanations mentioned above with
regard to FIG. 2. In contrast to actuator 10 in FIG. 2, the
actuator 30 in FIG. 3 does, however, have not any catch, but it is
connected to an associated pedal lever or driver's side pedal by a
chain 41 or linkage. The configuration or construction of the
actuator 30 having a chain 41 will be described in detail in the
following.
[0084] A chain support 42 is set on or pushed on the cylindrical
actuator casing 34 of the actuator 30, which is formed as a
rectangular cuboid. The chain support 42 is clamped fixedly on the
actuator casing 34 of the actuator 30 by means of a clamping screw
43. In FIG. 8, a small gap 52 can be seen within the lower area of
the chain support 42, which enables clamping by the clamping screw
43 on the circumference of the actuator casing 34. Before clamping
of the chain support 42, the chain support 42 may be shifted on the
circumference of the cylindrical actuator casing 34 and, thus, it
can be adjusted in its final position. By clamping, the chain
support 42 is fixed in its position on the actuator casing 34 and
along the length of the actuator casing 34. In the upper portion of
the rectangular chain support 42 a compartment 44 is provided which
is opened to the outside and accessible from the outside at the
shown corner of the chain support 42. In the compartment a first
gear wheel 45 or pinion gear or toothed wheel is arranged on a
shaft 46 or arranged rotateably together with the shaft 46. The
chain 41 is held on the chain support 42 with a chain mount 47 at
one of its ends.
[0085] A support 35 is connected to the cylinder 37, which projects
out of the actuator casing 34 through the slot 51. As support 35
the hooked catch 15 in FIG. 7 is used in FIG. 3. A cylindrical gear
wheel casing 48 is mounted on the support 35, in which a further
gear wheel 49 is rotateably arranged and supported. In the wall of
the gear wheel casing 48, two slots 48.1 are formed which are
distant to each other and through which the chain 41 passes.
[0086] The chain 41 extends starting from the chain mount 47 on the
chain support 42 towards the gear wheel casing 48 that is connected
to the support 35. The chain 41 is put around the gear wheel 49 and
extends through one of the slots 48.1 into the gear wheel casing 48
and through the other of the slots 48.1 to the outside of the gear
wheel casing 48 and, therefore, it is redirected or deflected by
180.degree. by the gear wheel 49. The chain 41 extends from the
gear wheel casing 48 towards the chain support 42 and it entries
into the compartment 44, it passes the gear wheel 45 that engages
in the chain members of the chain 41, and it exits the compartment
44 after being deflected by 90.degree.. After the compartment 44,
the chain extends to the associated pedal or pedal lever, on which
the chain is mounted by, for instance, a clamp or a bracket with
its final chain member.
[0087] If the pressure cylinder 31 is subjected to pressure force
against the force of the spring 36, the cylinder 37 is moved
towards the actuator support 39. Along the cylinder 37, then also
the support 35 with the gear wheel casing 48 is moved, whereby the
chain 41 is pulled from the chain support 42 towards the actuator
support 39. This movement is transferred from the gear wheel 49 to
the mount of the chain 41 on the pedal, whereby the pedal is
operated by the tension or pull of the chain.
[0088] If the pressure within the pressure cylinder 31 is
decreased, the cylinder 37 along with the support 35 and the gear
wheel casing 48 are shifted or moved back by the spring 36 towards
the chain support 42, whereby the length of the chain between the
chain support 42 and the gear wheel 49 or the gear wheel casing 48
is shortened and, thus, the operation of the coupled pedals is
taken back.
[0089] A stroke of the pressure cylinder 31 or a stroke of the
cylinder 37 in the actuator casing 34 and of the support 35 having
the chain casing 48 is converted into a double as big stroke of the
portion of the chain 41 between the chain support 42 and the pedal
by the 180.degree. redirection of the chain 41 via the gear wheel
49, whereby big strokes of the pedal can be performed by the
actuator 30.
[0090] In FIG. 1, a pedal unit 80 that is arranged on the
passenger's side is shown in accordance to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. The pedal unit 80 comprises to hydraulic
cylinders 69, 68, which have identical construction and are
arranged with distance to each other and in parallel to each other,
pressure piston rods 70 and 71 of identical configuration, guiding
rods 66 and 65 of identical configuration, a hydraulic block 64, a
slider 63 or a carriage, which is supported on the guiding rods 66
and 65 moveably to and fro, which is clearly shown in FIG. 1 by the
double arrow being shown, an end block 62, in which the pedal lever
60 is supported pivotably and jointly or articulately, and a
supporting lever 61, which is jointly supported on the pedal lever
60 and also on the slider 63 and which, therefore, couples the
slider 63 to the pedal lever 60 in order to transfer a movement of
a pedal lever 60 to the slider 63 by means of the supporting lever
61.
[0091] The pedal lever 60 engages in a recess of the end block 62
with one of its ends, in which a pin extends, around the
longitudinal axis thereof the pedal lever 60 can be pivoted or
rotated. The recess in the end block 62 has dimensions such that a
sufficient freedom of movement of the end of the pedal lever 60,
which is supported in the end block 62, is provided. A plane pedal
disc is fixed to an opposite end of the pedal lever 60 that allows
an operation by foot by the passenger or the driving school
instructor.
[0092] The supporting lever 61 is jointly mounted on the pedal
lever 60 so that a movement of the pedal lever 60 is transferred to
the supporting lever 61. The other end of the supporting lever 61
engages in a slotted recess 63.1 (refer to FIG. 5) of the slider 63
and it is supported within this recess rotateably or pivotably
around a transverse pin wherein the transverse pin of the slider 63
is oriented for supporting the supporting lever 61 in parallel to
the supporting pin in the end block 62 for supporting the pedal
lever 60. Further, the transverse pin for supporting the supporting
lever 61 in the slider 63 and also the supporting pin for
supporting the pedal lever 60 in the end block 62 are oriented
perpendicularly to a direction of movement of the slider 63 on the
guiding rods 65 and 66.
[0093] The block shaped slider 63 is moveably supported or mounted
with a linear support 72 on the guiding rod 66 and with a second
linear support 74 on the guiding rod 65. Both linear supports 72
and 74 or bearings are fitted or inserted in bores, holes or
channels passing through and having a section of circular shape in
the slider 63, and are accommodated therein and allow a linear
support of the slider 63 on the guiding rods 66 and 65. The slider
63 consists of, for instance, polyethylene (type Simona PE-HWST
according to ISO 10285). As linear support 72 or 74, for instance,
a linear ball bearing having running path plates (type SKF
LBBR12-2LS) can be used.
[0094] Further, in the slider 63, pressure piston rods 70 and 71,
which extend in parallel to each other, are fixed with their ends
being not adjacent to the pressure piston. Thus, a movement or
shifting of the slider 63 on the guiding rods 66 and 65 is
transferred directly onto the pressure piston rods 70 and 71.
[0095] The pressure piston rods 70 and 71 engage in the pressure
cylinder 69 and 68 with the pressure piston rod 70 projecting into
the pressure cylinder 69 and the pressure piston rod 71 projecting
into the pressure cylinder 68. Pressure pistons are arranged on the
ends of the pressure piston rods 70 and 71 which are located within
the pressure cylinders 69 and 68, wherein the pressure pistons are
moveably and sealingly supported in the corresponding pressure
cylinders 69 and 68, respectively. A movement of the pressure
piston rods 70 or 71 is transferred to the corresponding pressure
pistons and, therefore, it acts on the liquid column within the
pressure cylinders.
[0096] Both pressure cylinders 69 and 68 extend in parallel to each
other and are fixed in the hydraulic block 64, for instance, by
corresponding screw connections. The exits of both pressure
cylinders 68 and 69 are united via a channel 64.1 in the hydraulic
block 64 to an entrance of the hydraulic block 64 that is provided
with a hollow screw 64.2 (refer to FIG. 5).
[0097] The guiding rods 66 and 65 extending in parallel to each
other are fixedly connected at one end to the hydraulic block 64,
for instance, by means of corresponding screw connections. They
extend further through the slider 63, namely through the linear
supports 72 and 74, and to the end block 62 to which they are
connected again, for instance by screw connections. A compression
spring 68 is installed between the slider 63 and the hydraulic
block 64, the compression spring is wound around the guiding rod 66
in the shape of a helix. The compression spring 68 or helical
spring is fixed or screwed with one end to the hydraulic block 64,
whereas the other end of the compression spring 68 is screwed on
the slider. The compression force of the compression spring 68
moves the slider 63 away from the hydraulic block 64 towards the
end block 62 if there is not any counter force by the pedal lever
60. A further compression spring 67 or a coil spring is arranged on
the guiding rod 65 between the slider 63 and the hydraulic block 64
and is fixed thereon like the compression spring 68. The
compression force of the compression spring 67 also tends to move
the slider 63 away from the hydraulic block 64 towards the end
block 62.
[0098] A sleeve 73 is pushed onto the guiding rod 66 between the
slider 63 and the end block 62. An identical sleeve 73 is also
pushed onto the guiding rod 65 between the slider 63 and the end
block 62. Both sleeves 73 are configured identically to each other
and have the purpose to limit the movement of the slider 63 towards
the end block 62. I.e. the slider 63 touches the sleeves 73, if
only the compression forces of both springs 68 and 67 act without
any counter force of a pedal operation. The slider 63 then is in
the position shown in FIG. 1.
[0099] The fictitious symmetry axis F of the pressure cylinder 69
and the fictitious symmetry axis of the pressure piston rod 70
coincide. In addition, the fictitious axes of the pressure cylinder
and of the pressure rod 71 coincide. The axes of both pressure
cylinders 69 and 68 are oriented accurately in parallel to each
other. Additionally, the axes of the guiding rods 66 and 65 are
oriented in parallel to each other and extend along with the axes
of the pressure cylinders 69 and 68 in a common plane. The
supporting lever 61 is supported in the middle of the slider 63 so
that forces occurring during operation of pedal are evenly
distributed to both cylindrical pistons 70 and 71 via the slider
63. In addition, the pedal lever 60 is supported in the middle
between the guiding rods 66 and 65 on the end block 62.
[0100] The pedal unit is preferably mounted on a plate 100 or
basis, which lies on the passenger's side base of the vehicle and
is fixed thereon preferably by a Velcro fastener. Thus, the pedal
unit 80, due to the circumstances that only a Velcro fastener is
required, can easily be mounted and, if necessary, demounted, too.
The pedal unit 80 or its mounting plate 100 may also be screwed on
the base. The Velcro fastener is sufficient since the force acting
during operation of pedal on the pedal lever 60 is transferred via
the pedal lever 60 and the supporting lever 61 to the slider 63 so
that only a linear force component is developed only in the
direction of movement of the slider 63 and additionally a force
component is developed which acts perpendicularly to the direction
of movement of the slider 63, i.e. towards the base of the vehicle,
whereby the pedal unit 80 is pressed perpendicularly towards the
base of the vehicle during operation of pedal and, therefore,
tilting forces can not act on the pedal unit 80 during operation of
pedal.
[0101] In FIGS. 4 and 5, a preferred embodiment of double pedal
device of the invention for a driving school vehicle is shown as an
example, wherein in FIG. 4 the pedal set or the pedal means 90.5 on
the driver's side of the vehicle and in FIG. 5 the second pedal set
or the second pedal means 80.5 on the passenger's side are shown,
i.e. on the instructor's side.
[0102] The first pedal set 90.5 on the driver's side comprises as
usually an accelerator pedal 95, a brake pedal 94 and a clutch
pedal 93, an actuator 10 according to FIG. 2, the catch 15 thereof
is engaged in a pedal lever 93.1 of the pedal 93, an additional
actuator 30 which is shown if FIG. 3 in more detail, a chain 41
thereof is on one of it ends fixed to a pedal lever 94.1 of the
pedal 94, for instance, using a clamp or a bracket, and an
additional actuator 10.1 having the same configuration as the
actuator 10 in FIG. 2 and having a catch 15.1 which is engaged in a
pedal lever 95.1 of the pedal 95. An actuator plate 96 is provided
on which the actuator 10 together with the actuator support 19 is
mounted, on which the actuator 30 together with its support 39 is
fixed and on which in addition the actuator 10.1 together with its
actuator support is fixed.
[0103] The pressure cylinder 11 of the actuator 10 is fluid coupled
via the hollow screw 13 terminating the pressure cylinder 11 to the
hydraulic pressure line 92. The pressure cylinder 31 of the
actuator 30 is fluid coupled via the hollow screw 33 to a pressure
line 91. The pressure cylinder 11.1 of the actuator 10.1 is fluid
coupled to a pressure line 90, too.
[0104] The second pedal set 80.5 on the passenger's side has a
casing that is not shown and, according to FIG. 5, three pedals 97,
98, 99, wherein the pedal 97 is the accelerator pedal, the pedal 98
is the brake pedal, and the pedal 99 is the clutch pedal. The
second pedal set comprises a pedal unit 80 that is described in
more detail in FIG. 1, a further pedal unit 80.1 that corresponds
to the pedal unit 80 being described in FIG. 1, and a third pedal
unit 81 that, in difference to the pedal units 80 and 80.1, only
comprises a single pressure cylinder having a pressure piston rod,
a single guiding rod with compression spring, a slider
correspondingly designed, a hydraulic block and a supporting lever
connection to the pedal 97.
[0105] The hydraulic block 64 of the pedal unit 80 is
interconnected to the pressure line 92 via the hollow screw 64.2
that has a screwing bolt. The hydraulic block of the pedal unit
80.1 is coupled to the pressure line 91 via a hollow screw. The
hydraulic block of the pedal unit 81 is also coupled to the
pressure line 90 via hollow screw.
[0106] The used hydraulic means comprise, as shown in FIG. 5, the
pressure cylinder means on the passenger's side each having a
pressure cylinder with pressure piston rod, the pressure cylinder
means of the actuators 10, 10.1 and 30 each having a pressure
cylinder and an associated pressure piston rod, the flexible
pressure lines 90, 91 and 92, and the hydraulic blocks 64 on the
passenger's side are filled with a hydraulic liquid. A hydraulic
oil, gabel or fork oil, or white oil can be used as hydraulic
liquid. Preferably, a hydraulic liquid having a viscosity number 1
is used in order to avoid delays in reaction of the hydraulic
liquid column on fluctuations of the pressure. A white oil
preferably used is a Renolin MRLVG5 type oil and has a viscosity
number of 1. The pressure lines are, for instance, micro fluid
flexible hose lines made of synthetic armid fibers (e.g. type
EMMKT8 PN500 PB 800 DN 2).
[0107] In operating the pedal 99 on the instructor's side the
slider 63 is shifted towards the hydraulic block 64 whereby the
piston rods 70 and 71 exert pressure on the liquid column in the
pressure cylinders 69 and 68. This pressure is transferred within
the liquid column from the hydraulic block 64 to the pressure line
92 and, finally, the pressure is coupled to the pressure cylinder
11 of the actuator 10 via the hollow screw 13. The pressure piston
rod 18 then shifts the cylinder 17 together with the catch 15.
Since the catch 15 is engaged in the pedal lever 93.1 of the pedal
93, the pedal 93 is operated. If the pressure on the pedal 99 is
decreased or removed, the spring 16 of the actuator 10 shifts back
the cylinder having the catch 15 and, thus, also the pressure
piston rod 18. The slider 63 of the pedal unit 80 is shifted back
in its initial position, i.e. the stop position at the sleeves 73,
by the spring force of both springs 67 and 68 and by the change or
the suction pressure in the pressure cylinders.
[0108] If the pedal 98 is operated on the passenger's side, the
pressure on the liquid column is transferred via both pressure
cylinders and the hydraulic block of the pedal unit 80.1, having
the same construction as the pedal unit 80, to the pressure line 91
and therefrom to the pressure cylinder 31 of the actuator 30. Thus,
the support 35 having the gear wheel casing 48 is shifted whereby
the portion of the chain between the chain support 42 and the pedal
lever 94.1 is shortened and the pedal 94 is operated. If thereafter
the operation of the pedal 98 on the passenger's side is decreased
or removed, the pedal 94 is shifted back into its resting position
by its pedal reshifting spring (not shown) whereby tension is
exerted on the chain 41 being connected to the pedal lever 94.1 of
the pedal 94, and thereby the support 35 together with the gear
wheel casing 48 is now drawn back towards the chain support 42. The
pressure on the liquid column is directed back to the passenger's
side, namely to the hydraulic block of the pedal unit 80.1, via the
pressure cylinder of the actuator 30 and the pressure line 91,
thereby the pressure cylinder of the pedal unit 80.1 together with
the compression springs of the pedal unit 80.1 shift back the
slider in its initial position. Similar processes also occur in
operating the pedal 97 via the pedal unit 81, the pressure line 90,
and actuator 10.1 that is coupled to the pedal lever 95.1.
[0109] In the following, a further preferred embodiment of the
double pedal device of the invention for a driving school vehicle
with automatic transmission is explained using FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9,
and 10.
[0110] In FIG. 7, an actuator 10.2 which is used in the same
construction as an anti gas or anti accelerator actuator 10.12 and
also as an accelerator or gas actuator 10.22 of actuator means
10.32 of a driver's side accelerator pedal hydraulic means (refer
also to FIG. 9) is shown in a separated perspective and partly
sectional view. The actuator 10.2 comprises a cylindrical hollow
actuator casing 14.2 that is opened at the ends, a pressure
cylinder 11.2 that extends at least in part in the hollow space of
the actuator casing concentrically with the axis of the actuator
casing, a piston rod 18.2 or piston bar that is coupled by pressure
to the pressure cylinder 11.2 within the actuator casing 14.2 via a
pressure cylinder piston not shown and that is fixedly coupled to a
catch cylinder 17.2 on its other end, which shiftably fits into the
cavity of the actuator casing 14.2 and can be moved to and fro
therein along the axis of the actuator casing 14.2., and a spring
16.2 that extends concentrically with the axis of the actuator
casing 14.2 between the other end of the actuator casing 14.2, i.e.
in more detail between the catch cylinder 17.2 and an actuator
support 19.2 made of synthetic resin which terminates the other end
of the actuator casing 14.2.
[0111] The pressure cylinder 11.2 consists of a stainless steel or
aluminium and is hydraulically coupled to an associated pressure
line of the hydraulic coupling means via a hollow screw 13.2 being
mounted to pressure cylinder 11.2 at the end and having, on one of
its ends, a thread socket for screwing in. The pressure cylinder
11.2 is arranged concentrically with the axis of the actuator
casing 14.2 in the cavity of the actuator casing 14.2. On the end
region towards the hollow screw 13.2, the pressure cylinder 11.2
has grooves 12.2 extending radially and annularly on its outer
surface in which pins 20.2 passing through corresponding holes in
the wall of the actuator casing 14.2 are engaged in order to fix
the pressure cylinder 11.2 on the actuator casing 14.2.
[0112] In FIG. 7 the pressure cylinder 11.2 comprises five of these
grooves 12.2 wherein two grooves being next to each other can not
been seen in FIG. 7 since they are covered by the wall of the
actuator casing 14.2, but they are engaged in associated fixing
pins 20.2 both being shown.
[0113] On establishing or adjusting of the actuator 10.2, it can be
determined by the radial grooves 12.2 and the pins 20.2 cooperating
therewith how far the pressure cylinder 11.2 extends into the
actuator casing 14.2 or how far it projects there from at its end,
whereby the position of the catch 15.2 along the actuator casing
14.2 in its initial position can be adjusted in which there is not
any pressure acting on the pressure cylinder 11.2, and therefore
also the maximum stroke of the catch 15.2 of the actuator 10.2 can
be adjusted for adapting to the respective construction of the
associated pedal. The actuator 10.2 can therefore be adapted to the
pedals of different types of vehicles having different stroke of
pedal.
[0114] A pressure piston not shown is located within the pressure
cylinder 11.2 on which the hydraulic pressure acts, which is
present in the pressure cylinder. The pressure piston is supported
within the pressure cylinder 11.2 in a sealing and moveable manner
such that hydraulic liquid cannot escape out of the pressure
cylinder 11.2. The pressure piston is connected to a piston rod
18.2 in the pressure cylinder 11.2 which projects from the pressure
cylinder 11.2 in the interior of the actuator casing 14.2 and which
extends concentrically to the axis of the cylindrical actuator
casing 14.2.
[0115] A catch cylinder 17.2 is accommodated at the other end of
the piston rod 18.2 or the piston bar which can be moved to and fro
in the interior of the actuator casing 14.2 along the axis of the
actuator casing 14.2 and which moves depending on the pressure
acting on the hydraulic pressure cylinder 11.2. The catch cylinder
17.2 can be made of stainless steel, aluminium, or synthetic resin
and is preferably designed in a solid manner.
[0116] The catch 15.2 is fixed on the outer surface of the catch
cylinder 17.2 and comprises a hooked shape in the elevation view
wherein the opening or aperture of the hooked catch 15.2 faces to
the end of the actuator casing 14.2 having the actuator support
19.2. The catch 15.2 comprises a catch leg extending in parallel to
the axis of the actuator casing 14.2, and a catch basis being
attached to the catch cylinder 17.2. The catch can be provided with
synthetic resin, particularly Nylon, on its surface.
[0117] The opening of the catch that is the region between the
outer wall of the actuator casing 14.2 and the face of the catch
15.2, being adjacent to the opening of the catch, is constructed
such the pedal lever, to which the actuator 10.2 is coupled, is
fitted in the opening of the catch 15.2 in order to ensure a secure
operation of the associated pedal or pedal lever.
[0118] A spring 16.2 being constructed as a compression spring is
accommodated in the cavity of the actuator casing 14.2 between the
actuator support 19.2 and the catch cylinder 17.2, which pushes the
moveable catch cylinder 17.2 towards the pressure cylinder 11.2
within the actuator casing 14.2.
[0119] The actuator support 19.2 is fitted in the cavity of the
actuator casing 14.2 on the corresponding end thereof and it closes
or terminates also the corresponding end of the actuator casing
14.2. The actuator support 19.2 serves as a stop of the spring 16.2
and for mounting the actuator 10.2 on the chassis of the vehicle on
the driver's side within the region of the pedal or on a basic
plate being separately provided and being installed or accommodated
in the region or area of the pedal of the vehicle on the driver's
side. The actuator support 19.2 can also be constructed as a joint
or articulate in order to jointly attach the actuator 10.2 on the
chassis of the basis plate in the area of the pedal of the driver's
side.
[0120] A slot 21.2 is recessed in the wall of the actuator casing
14.2, which extends in parallel and along the axis of the actuator
casing 14.2 and through which the catch 15.2 is projected out of
the actuator casing 14.2 from the catch cylinder 17.2. The free
width of the slot 21.2 or of the recess corresponds to the
thickness or dimension of the catch 15.2 such that the catch 15.2
is able to move freely to and fro in the slot 21.2. The length of
the slot 21.2 corresponds at least to the stroke of the catch 15.2,
which is allowed in maximum. The slot 21.2 can be formed with
regard to its dimensions such that the walls of the slot perform a
guiding of the catch 15.2.
[0121] If the pressure cylinder 11.2 of the actuator 10.2 is
subjected to pressure by operation of the associated pedal on the
passenger's side which means by the driving instructor, the piston
rod 18.2 and thus also the catch cylinder 17.2 and the catch 15.2
are shifted towards the actuator support 19.2 against the pressure
force of the spring 16.2 whereby the pedal being engaged, e.g. the
driver's side accelerator pedal, is operated on the driver's side.
If then the operation of the pedal is decreased on the passenger's
side, also the hydraulic pressure decreases in the pressure
cylinder 11.2 and the catch cylinder 17.2 together with the catch
15.2 are moved by the spring 16.2 in the opposite direction, i.e.
towards the pressure cylinder 11.2, until a balance between the
pressure force of the pressure cylinder 11.2 and the pressure force
of the spring 16.2 is present.
[0122] If the instructor decreases the pressure or force on the
pedal or the pedal operation yet further until a pedal operation on
the passenger's side is not present any more, the spring 16.2
pushes or shifts the catch cylinder 17.2 together with the catch
15.2 further and further towards the pressure cylinder 11.2 until
the catch 15.2 reaches its initial position in which pressure does
not act anymore by the pressure cylinder 11.2 but only pressure
caused by the spring 16.2 is effective.
[0123] In FIG. 8 an actuator 30.2 is shown in a view corresponding
to FIG. 7. The actuator 30.2 comprises an actuator casing 34.2
having a pressure cylinder 31.2 with grooves 32.2 extending
radially on the surface and a terminating hollow screw 33.2, a
catch 35.2 or support that projects out of the actuator casing
34.2, a spring 36.2 being constructed as a compression spring, and
a moveable cylinder 37.2 in the interior of the actuator casing
34.2 which is connected to a piston rod 38.2 on one end which
extends into the pressure cylinder 31.2 and which is connected to a
pressure piston in the interior of the pressure cylinder 31.2. The
pressure cylinder 31.2 in turn can be adjusted and mounted by the
grooves 32.2 and the fixing pins 40.2 on the actuator casing
34.2.
[0124] The construction and function of the members 31.2, 32.2,
33.2, 34.2, 36.2, 39.2 and 51.2 are identical to the instruction
and function of the corresponding members of the actuator 10.2
being shown in FIG. 7. Concerning a more detailed description of
the construction and function of this members or parts thus it is
referred to a description mentioned above with regard to FIG.
7.
[0125] In contrast to the actuator 10.2 in FIG. 7, however, the
actuator 30.2 in FIG. 8 does not have any catch, but it is coupled
via a chain 41.2 to an associated pedal lever or driver's side
pedal, e.g. the driver's side brake pedal. The construction of the
actuator 30.2 having the chain 41.2 is described in detail in the
following.
[0126] A chain support 42.2 is set on or pushed on the cylindrical
actuator casing 34.2 of the actuator 30.2, which is formed as a
cuboid block. The chain support 42.2 is clamped on the actuator
casing 34.2 of the actuator 30.2 by means of a clamping or fixing
screw 43.2. In FIG. 8 a small gap 52.2 in the lower area of the
chain support 52.2 can be seen which allows a clamping by the
clamping screw 43.2 on the surface of the actuator casing 34.2.
Before clamping of the chain support 42.2, the chain support 42.2
can be shifted on the periphery or circumference of the cylindrical
actuator casing 34.2 and therefore its final position can be
adjusted. By clamping, the chain support 42.2 is fixed on the
actuator casing 34.2 in its position along the actuator casing
34.2. In the upper portion of the block shaped or cuboid chain
support 42.2, a compartment 44.2 is provided which is opened via
the shown corner of the chain support 42.2 to the outside or
accessible from the outside. A first gear wheel 45.2 or pinion is
located around a shaft 46.2 or rotateably there with. The chain
41.2 is held with one of its ends on the chain support 42.2 by
means of a chain fastening 47.2.
[0127] A support 35.2 is connected to the cylinder 37.2, which
projects out of the actuator casing 34.2 through a slot 51.2. The
hooked catch 15.2 of FIG. 7 is used as support 35.2 in FIG. 8. A
cylindrical gear wheel casing 48.2 is fixed on the support 35.2, in
which a further gear wheel 49.2 is rotateably arranged or
supported. In the wall of the gear wheel casing 48.2, two slots
48.12 are recessed in distance to each other, through which the
chain 41.2 extends.
[0128] The chain 41.2 extends from the chain fastening 47.2 on the
chain support 42.2 towards the gear wheel casing 48.2 that is
coupled to the support member 35.2. The chain 41.2 is put around
the gear wheel 49.2 and it extends through one of the slots 48.12
again out of the gear wheel casing 48.2 and, thus, it is deflected
by 180.degree. by the gear wheel 49.2. The chain 41.2 extends from
the gear wheel casing 48.2 towards the chain support 42.2 and
enters the compartment 44.2, passes the gear wheel 45.2, which
engages in the elements of the chain 41.2, and leaves again the
compartment 44.2 after being redirected or deflected by 90.degree..
The chain extends from the compartment 44.2 to the associated pedal
or pedal lever on which the chain is fixed with its end member,
e.g. by means of a clamp or bracket.
[0129] If the pressure cylinder 31.2 is loaded by pressure against
the force of the spring 36.2, the cylinder 37.2 is moved towards
the actuator support 39.2. The support 35.2 with the gear wheel
casing 48.2 moves together with the cylinder 37.2 whereby the chain
41.2 is pulled from the chain support 42.2 towards the actuator
support 39.2. This movement is transferred via the gear wheel 49.2
to the fastening of the chain 41.2 on the pedal whereby the pedal
is operated by the tension of the chain.
[0130] If the pressure in the pressure cylinder decreases, the
cylinder 37.2, the support 35.2, and the gear wheel casing 48.2 are
shifted back towards the chain support 42.2 by the spring 36.2,
whereby the length of the chain between the chain support 42.2 and
the gear wheel 49.2 or the gear wheel casing 48.2 is shortened and,
therefore, the operation of the coupled pedal is lowered.
[0131] A stroke of the pressure cylinder 31.2 or the stroke of the
cylinder 37.2 in the actuator casing 34.2 and the support 35.2 with
the gear wheel casing 48.2 is converted into a twice as big stroke
of the chain part of the chain 41.2 between the chain support 42.2
and the pedal whereby big strokes or movements of the pedal can be
performed by the actuator 30.2.
[0132] In FIG. 6 a pedal unit 80.2 according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention and being arranged on the passenger's
side is shown.
[0133] The pedal unit 80.2 has an anti gas or anti accelerator
pedal 99.2 and anti accelerator pedal hydraulic means having two
hydraulic cylinders 69.2, 68.2 arranged in parallel and apart to
each other as pressure cylinder means having the same construction,
compression springs 68.2 and 67.2 having the same construction,
guiding rods 66.2 and 65.2 having the same construction, a
hydraulic block 64.2, a slider 63.2 or carriage being supported on
the guiding rods 66.2 and 65.2 such that it can move to and fro
which is explained by the double arrow shown in FIG. 6, an end
block 62.2 in which a pedal lever 60.2 is supported jointly in a
pivotal manner, and a support lever 61.2 being supported jointly on
the pedal lever 60.2 and on the slider 63.2 and, thus, coupling the
slider 63.2 to the pedal lever 60.2 in order to transfer a movement
of the pedal lever 60.2 to the slider 63.2 via the support lever
61.2.
[0134] The pedal lever 60.2 engages with one end in a recess of the
end block 62.2 in which a pin extends, the pedal lever 60.2 being
pivotably or rotateably around a longitudinal axis of the pin. The
recess in the end block 62.2 is formed in dimensions such that a
sufficient freedom of movement of the end of the pedal lever 60.2
being supported in the end block 62.2 is provided. A pedal disc of
the anti gas pedal 99.2 is attached to the opposite end of the
pedal lever 60.2 which allows to be operated by the passenger's or
instructor's foot.
[0135] The support lever 61.2 is mounted on the pedal lever 60.2
jointly such that a movement of the pedal lever 60.2 is converted
into a movement of the support lever 61.2. The other end of the
support lever 61.2 engages in a recess 63.12 having the form of a
slot in the slider 63.2 and it is supported rotaetably or pivotably
again around a transverse pin wherein the transverse pin of the
slider 63.2 is oriented for supporting or mounting the support
lever 61.2 in parallel to the support pin in the end block 62.2 for
supporting the pedal lever 60.2. Further, the transverse pin for
supporting the support lever 61.2 in the slider 63.2 and also the
mounting pin for supporting the pedal lever 60.2 in the end block
62.2 are oriented perpendicularly to a direction of movement of the
slider 63.2 on the guiding rods 66.2 and 67.2.
[0136] The rectangular slider 63.2 is supported by a linear bearing
72.2 on the guiding rod 66.2 and it is supported by a second linear
bearing 74.2 on the guiding rod 65.2. Both linear bearings 72.2 and
74.2 are fitted and accommodated in bores or channels extending
through and having a circular section in the slider 63.2 and they
allow a linear support of the slider 63.2 on the guiding rods 66.2
and 65.2. The slider 63.2 consists, for instance, of polyethylene
(type Simona PE-HWST according to ISO 10285). For instance, a
linear ball bearing having running surface plates (type SKF
LBBR12-2LS) can be used as linear bearing 72.2 or 74.2.
[0137] Further, pressure piston rods 70.2 and 71.2 extending in
parallel to each other are mounted with their ends being free from
the pressure piston in the slider 63.2. A movement or a shifting of
the slider 63.2 on the guiding rods 66.2 and 65.2 is thus directly
transferred to the pressure piston rods 70.2 and 71.2.
[0138] The pressure piston rods 70.2 and 71.2 engage in the
pressure cylinders 69.2 and 68.2 wherein the pressure piston rod
70.2 projects into the pressure cylinder 69.2 and wherein the
pressure cylinder rod 71.2 projects into the pressure cylinder
68.2. Pressure pistons being supported moveably and sealingly
within the corresponding pressure cylinders 69.2 and 68.2,
respectively, are arranged on the ends of the pressure piston rods
70.2 and 71.2 that are located in the pressure cylinders 69.2 and
68.2. A movement of the pressure cylinder rods 70.2 or 71.2 acts on
the respective pressure pistons and, therefore, it acts on the
liquid column in the pressure cylinders.
[0139] Both pressure cylinders 69.2 and 68.2 extend in parallel to
each other and they are fixed in the hydraulic block 64.2, for
instance, by corresponding screwing means. The outlets of both
pressure cylinders 68.2 and 69.2 are united to an inlet in the
hydraulic block 64.2 by means of a channel 64.12 in the hydraulic
block 64.2.
[0140] The guiding rods 66.2 and 65.2 extending in parallel to each
other are fixedly connected to the hydraulic block 64.2 at one end,
for instance, by suitable screwing means, extend further through
the slider 63.2, namely through the linear bearings 72.2 and 74.2,
respectively, and extend further to the end block 62.2 with which
they are fixedly connected again, for instance, by screws. A
compression spring 68.2 wounding around the guiding rod helically
is mounted between the slider 63.2 and the hydraulic block 64.2.
The compression spring or helical spring is fixed or screwed with
one end on the hydraulic block 64.2 whereas the other end of the
compression spring 68.2 is screwed on the slider. The compression
force of the compression spring 86.2 shifts the slider 63.2 away
from the hydraulic block 64.2 towards the end block 62.2 if a
counter force of the pedal lever 60.2 does not exist. An additional
compression spring 67.2 or helical spring is arranged on the
guiding rod 65.2 between the slider 63.2 and the hydraulic block
64.2 and it is fixed thereto like the compression spring 68.2. In
addition, the compression force of the compression spring 67.2
tends to shift the slider 63.2 away from the hydraulic block 64.2
towards the end block 62.2.
[0141] A stop sleeve 73.2 is shifted on the guiding rod 66.2
between the slider 63.2 and the end block 62.2. An identical stop
sleeve 73.2 is shifted on the guiding rod 65.2 between the slider
63.2 and the end block 62.2. Both stop sleeves 73.2 are constructed
identically to each other and have the purpose to limit the
movement of the slider 63.2 towards the end block 62.2, which
means, that the slider 63.2 is stopped at the stop sleeves 73.2 if
only the compression forces of both springs 68.2 and 67.2 act
without any counter or opposite force by operating the pedal. Then,
the slider 63.2 is in the position shown in FIG. 6.
[0142] The fictitious symmetry axes of the pressure cylinder 69.2
and of the pressure piston rod 70.2 coincide. The fictitious axes
of the pressure cylinder and of the pressure rod 71.2 coincide. The
axes of both pressure cylinders 69.2 and 68.2 extending accurately
in parallel to each other. Further, the axes of the guiding rods
66.2 and 65.2 are oriented in parallel to each other and are
arranged together with the axes of the pressure cylinders 69.2 and
68.2 in a common plane. The support lever 61.2 is supported in the
middle of the slider 63.2 such that the forces occurring during
operation of pedal are distributed uniformly via the slider 63.2
onto both cylinder pistons 70.2 and 71.2. In addition, the pedal
lever 60.2 is supported in the middle between the guiding rods 66.2
and 65.2 on the end block.
[0143] The pedal unit 80.2 is preferably attached to a plate 100.2
that is arranged on the base chassis on the passenger's side of the
vehicle in the area of the passenger where it may be fixed to
preferably by a Velcro fastener. Thus, the pedal unit 80.2 can
easily be mounted and demounted since only the Velcro fastener has
to be used. The pedal unit 80.2 or its mounting plate 100.2 can be
secured by screws to the base. The Velcro fastener is sufficient as
the force being present during pedal operation on the pedal lever
60.2 is transferred from the pedal lever 60.2 and the support lever
61.2 to the slider 63.2 such that a linear component of the force
that arises in the moving direction of the slider 63.2 only, and a
further component of force arises which acts perpendicularly to the
moving direction of the slider 63.2, i.e. towards the base of the
vehicle. Due to these components of force, the pedal unit 80.2 is
pressed in normal direction onto the base of the vehicle if the
pedal is operated, and, therefore, no tilting forces can act on the
pedal unit 80.2 during operation of pedal.
[0144] Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a preferred embodiment of
the double pedal device of the invention to be used in a driving
school vehicle and having automatic transmission, wherein FIG. 9
shows the set of pedals 90.6 on the driver's side of the vehicle
and FIG. 10 shows the second pedal set 80.6 on the passenger's
side, i.e. on the instructor's side.
[0145] The first pedal set on the driver's side comprises an
accelerator pedal 95.2, a brake pedal 94.2, an anti accelerator
actuator 10.12 being shown in FIG. 7 and having a catch 15.12 that
is engaged in a pedal lever 95.12 of the accelerator pedal 95.2, a
further actuator 30.2 being shown in more detail in FIG. 8 and
having a chain 41.2, an end thereof is attached or secured to a
pedal lever 94.12 of the pedal 94.2 by means of, for instance, a
clamp, and an accelerator actuator 10.22 having the same
construction as the anti accelerator actuator 10.12. A catch 15.22
of the accelerator actuator 10.22 is engaged in the pedal lever
95.12 of the accelerator pedal 95.2.
[0146] A pressure cylinder 11.12 of the anti accelerator actuator
10.12 is coupled to a hydraulic pressure line 92.2 for passage of
liquid or fluid via a hollow screw 13.12 that covers the pressure
cylinder 11.12. The pressure cylinder 31.2 of the actuator 30.2 is
coupled to the pressure line 91.2 via the hollow screw 33.2. A
pressure cylinder 11.22 of the gas actuator 10.22 is coupled to a
pressure line 90.2 or hydraulic line to allow passing of fluid.
[0147] The accelerator actuator 10.22 effects an increase of gas or
acceleration and the anti accelerator actuator 10.12 effects a
decrease of gas or acceleration. The gas pedal 95.2 is allowed to
move between zero gas position in which no acceleration is present,
and a full gas position in which full acceleration is present. The
anti accelerator actuator 10.12 actuates the accelerator pedal 95.2
in the direction from the full acceleration position to the zero
acceleration position if the anti accelerator pedal 99.2 on the
passenger's side is operated. The accelerator actuator 10.22
actuates the accelerator pedal on the driver's side in the
direction from the zero gas position to the full gas position if
the accelerator pedal 97.2 on the instructor's side is
operated.
[0148] The second set of pedals 80.6 on the passenger's side has
three pedals as shown in FIG. 10, the accelerator pedal 97.2, the
brake pedal 98.2 and the anti accelerator pedal 99.2. The second
pedal set comprises a pedal unit 80.2 having the anti gas pedal
99.2, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 6, a further pedal unit
80.12 having the brake pedal 98.2 which corresponds to the pedal
unit 80.2 being shown in FIG. 6, and a third pedal unit 81.2 having
the accelerator pedal 97.2 which in contrast to the pedal units
80.2 and 80.12 comprises only one pressure cylinder with pressure
piston rod, one guiding rod having compression spring, a slider, a
hydraulic block and terminating block correspondingly adapted and
being coupled to the accelerator pedal 97.2 via the supporting
lever. Instead of the pedal unit 80.2, one could also use an
additional pedal unit 81.2 or vice versa, wherein however the
amendment of the pedal function has to be taken into account.
[0149] The hydraulic block 64.2 of the pedal unit 80.2 is coupled
for passage of a fluid via the hollow screw 64.22 that has a
screwing bolt to the pressure line 92.2. The hydraulic block of the
pedal unit 80.12 is coupled to the pressure line 91.2 via its
hollow screw. The hydraulic block of the pedal unit 81.2 is coupled
to the pressure line 90.2 via its hollow screw.
[0150] The hydraulic means used which correspond to the passenger's
side pressure cylinder means shown in FIG. 10 and each having a
pressure cylinder with pressure piston rod, the pressure cylinder
means of the actuators 10.12, 10.22 and 30.2 shown in FIG. 9 and
each having a pressure cylinder and a relating pressure piston rod,
the flexible pressure lines 90.2, 91.2 and 92.2 of a pressure line
means, and the hydraulic blocks 64.2 are filled with a hydraulic
liquid. A hydraulic oil, a fork oil, or a white oil may be used as
hydraulic fluid. Preferably, a hydraulic liquid having a viscosity
number of 1 is used in order to avoid delays in the response of the
liquid column on alteration in pressure. White oil being preferably
used is type Renolin MR1VG5 and has a viscosity number of 1. The
pressure lines are, for instance, micro fluid tube or hose lines
made of synthetic armid fibres (for instance, type EMMKT8 PN500 PB
800 DN 2).
[0151] If the anti accelerator pedal 99.2 on the instructor's side
is operated, the slider 63.2 of the pedal unit 80.2 is shifted
towards the hydraulic block 64.2 wherein the piston rods 70.2 and
71.2 provide pressure onto the liquid column within the pressure
cylinders 69.2 and 68.2. This pressure is transferred within the
liquid column from the hydraulic block 64.2 to the pressure line
92.2 and, finally, it is coupled into the pressure cylinder 11.12
of the anti accelerator actuator 10.12 via the hollow screw 13.12.
The corresponding pressure piston rod then moves the cylinder along
with the catch 15.12. Since the catch 15.12 is engaged in the pedal
lever 95.12 of the driver's side accelerator pedal 95.2 being
operated, the accelerator pedal 95.2 is moved back to its zero gas
position resulting in reducing of gas or acceleration. If the force
or pressure onto the anti accelerator pedal 99.2 is reduced or
cancelled, the spring 16.2 of the anti accelerator actuator 10.12
pushes back the cylinder and catch 15.12 and, thus, the pressure
piston rod, too. The slider 63.2 of the pedal unit 80.2 is moved
back to its initial position, i.e. the stop position at the sleeves
73.2, by the alteration of the pressure or by the intake pressure
within the pressure cylinders.
[0152] If the brake pedal 98.2 on the passenger's side is operated,
the pressure on the liquid column propagates through both of the
pressure cylinders and the hydraulic block of the pedal unit 81.12
to the pressure lines 91.2 and therefrom to the pressure cylinder
31.2 of the actuator 30.2. Consequently, the support 35.2 together
with the gear wheel casing 48.2 is offset whereby the chain portion
between the chain support 42.2 and the pedal lever 94.12 is
shortened and the pedal 94.2 is operated or moved. If afterwards
the operation of the pedal 98.2 on the passenger's side is reduced
or cancelled, the pedal 94.2 is brought back into its resting
position by its pedal bring back spring (not shown) whereby tension
acts on the chain 41.2 that is coupled to the pedal lever 94.12 of
the brake pedal 94.2, and thus the support 35.2 together with the
gear wheel casing 48.2 is now pulled back towards the chain support
42.2. The pressure arising in this situation on the liquid column
is directed back to the passenger's side, i.e. to the hydraulic
block of the pedal unit 80.12, via the pressure cylinder of the
actuator 30.2 and the pressure line 91.2 whereby the pressure
cylinders of the pedal unit 80.12 together with the compression
springs of the pedal unit 80.12 bring the slider back to its
initial position.
[0153] By operating the passenger's side accelerator pedal 97.2 on
the instructor's side, the slider of the pedal unit 81.2 is pushed
towards the corresponding hydraulic block wherein the piston rod of
the single pressure cylinder means of the pedal unit 81.2 provides
pressure on the corresponding pressure cylinder 81.22. This
pressure is transferred within the liquid column from the hydraulic
block 81.32 to the pressure line 90.2 and, finally, it is
transferred via the hollow screw 13.22 to the pressure cylinder
11.22 of the accelerator actuator 10.22. The pressure piston
cylinder of the accelerator actuator 10.22 then operates the
cylinder with catch 15.22. Since the catch 15.22 is engaged in the
pedal lever 95.12 of the driver's side pedal accelerator pedal
95.2, the accelerator pedal 95.2 is moved towards its full gas
position under increasing gas. Then, if the pressure on the
passenger's side accelerator pedal 97.2 is reduced or cancelled,
the spring of the accelerator actuator 10.22 pushes back again the
cylinder together with the catch 15.22 and, thus, also the pressure
piston rod. The slider of the pedal unit 81.2, then, is moved back
to its initial position by the force of the single spring of the
pedal unit 81.2, but in addition by the alternation of pressure or
the intake pressure in the corresponding pressure cylinders of the
pedal unit 81.2.
[0154] Referring to the example of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, a preferred
embodiment of the driving school instructor's post of the invention
to be used in a driving school vehicle is shown. The instructor's
post comprises an instructor's seat 1.5, the instructor's side
pedal means 80.5 shown in FIG. 5 or the instructor's side pedal
means 80.6 shown in FIG. 10, and display means 15.5. An example of
the instructor's post is installed in the cap or cell of the
vehicle comprising an instrument panel 14.5 in a bus that is used
as a driving school vehicle.
[0155] The instructor's seat 1.5 comprises a seat portion or member
31.5, a backrest member 2.5, a head support 6.5, a pneumatic spring
5.5 or air suspension, one end thereof is coupled to the seat
portion 31.5 and the other end thereof is coupled to the driving
school vehicle floor pan 3.5 or base. The backrest member 2.5 is
pivotable around an axis 8.5 to adjust the inclination of the
backrest member 2.5 in relation to the seat surface 7.5 of the seat
portion 31.5 for sitting on. By operating a valve of the pneumatic
spring 5.5 by means of a lever 32.5, the height of the level of the
seat surface 7.5 above the floor pan 3.5 can be adjusted. The floor
pan 3.5 is secured to a floor group 9.5 of the bus by screws 4.5.
Using a screw connection allows a quick installation of the
instructor's seat 1.5 and, thus, of the whole instructor's post in
the bus, and, further, a quick and easy demounting of the seat
which allows a quick conversion of the vehicle to a driving school
vehicle and vice versa, too. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the seat
surface 7.5 is present at a higher level of height than the seat
surface of a driver's seat 11.5 in comparison to a dashed driver's
seat 11.5 shown schematically.
[0156] The driving school instructor's seat 1.5 and/or instructor's
post may be located in the middle between the driver's seat 11.5
and passenger's seat not shown wherein this middle area may also
extend towards the rear of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 11.
[0157] The instructor's side pedal means 80.5 (or 80.6) are
attached to the seat portion 31.5 of the instructor's seat 1.5 by
means of a holding device 12.5 or support. The holding device 12.5
comprises a seat plate 30.5, an inclined member 33.5, and a plate
34.5 that is oriented in parallel to the floor pan 3.5 or floor
chassis group 9.5 of the vehicle. The seat plate 30.5 of the
holding device 12.5 is fixed to the seat portion 31.5 by screws.
The inclined member 33.5 extending downwards in an inclined manner
couples the seat plate 30.5 to the plate 34.5 integrally. At the
longitudinal edges of the plate 34.5, two guiding means 17.5 and
18.5 extending in parallel to each other are attached which provide
through receptacles in an area of the edge of the pedal means 80.5
(or 80.6) that can be inserted into the guiding means 17.5 and 18.5
in accordance to the direction of arrow 19.5. On their topsides,
the guiding means 17.5 and 18.5 have respective bores 38.5 being in
series or corresponding longitudinal holes which help that the
instructor's side pedal means 80.5 (or 80.6) can be locked in or
fixed to the guiding means using screws or clamping. By offsetting
or shifting the pedal means 80.5 (or 80.6) within the guiding means
17.5 and 18.5, a distance A5 between the instructor's seat 1.5 and
the pedal means 80.5 (or 80.6) can be adjusted.
[0158] On the plate 34.5 of the holding device 12.5, a display
holder 16.5 is attached via an angle member, wherein display means
15.5 are attached to an end of the display holder. The display
means 15.5 may be, for instance, a LCD or a monitor. The display
means 15.5 is coupled electrically to a video camera 50.5 via
coupling means and a connector 42.5 on the instrument panel 14.5.
The video camera 50.5 is attached to a left exterior rear view
mirror 40.5 of the bus and, thus, it detects the surrounding area
on the left side of the bus. The image or picture detected by the
video camera 50.5 is indicated to the driving school instructor on
the display means 15.5 whereby, for instance, a vehicle in the
"blind angle" can be recognized by the instructor.
[0159] The instructor's side pedal means 80.5 in FIG. 5 comprises
the pedal units 80, 80.1, and 81 having the corresponding pedals
99, 98, and 97. The pedal means 80.5 are coupled to the
supplementary driver's side pedal means 90.5 in FIG. 4 of the
double pedal device for controlling the driver's pedal means 90.5
with priority via the pressure lines 90, 91, 92.
[0160] Similarly, the instructor's side pedal means 80.6 in FIG. 10
comprises the pedal units 80.2, 80.12, and 81.2 having the
corresponding pedals 99.2, 98.2, and 97.2. The pedal means 80.6 are
coupled to the supplementary driver's side pedal means 90.6 in FIG.
9 of the double pedal device having anti gas for controlling the
driver's pedal means 90.6 with priority via the pressure lines
90.2, 91.2, 92.2.
[0161] FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show another preferred embodiment of the
instructor's post of the invention to be used in a driving school
vehicle. The instructor's post comprises an instructor's seat 30.6,
a controlling unit 20.6, instructor's side pedal means 80.5 on the
passenger's side which is shown in FIG. 5 (or 80.6 in FIG. 10), and
a holding device 1.6 or rack on which the pedal means 80.5 (or
80.6) are affixed. The instructor's post is installed, for
instance, in the cap 40.6 or cell of the vehicle having an
instrument panel 41.6 in a bus that is used as a driving school
vehicle. The cap 40.6 of the vehicle has as usual a base 42.6 and a
sheet like inner cover 43.6 extending normally to the base
42.6.
[0162] The instructor's seat 30.6 comprises, inter alia, a seat
member 33.6 having a seat surface, a backrest member 31.6, and an
armrest 32.6 on the right side and it is mounted on a base plate or
base 42.6 of the driving school vehicle chassis. The instructor's
seat 30.6 and/or the instructor's post can be located in a middle
area between a driver's seat and a passenger's seat not shown.
[0163] The controlling unit 20.6 of the instructor's post of the
invention is designed preferably in form of a control stick 20.16
or of a joystick and it has a handle 21.6, an angle member 24.6, a
tubular fixing member 25.6, a control knob 22.6, and coupling means
23.6 for coupling of the control unit 20.6 to the electrical
installations of the driving school vehicle.
[0164] The fixing member 25.6 is rigidly attached to the
instructor's seat 30.6. The angle member 24.6 of the control unit
20.6 has a tubular member 24.16 extending horizontally and a
further tubular member 24.26 extending vertically and normally to
the tubular member 24.16. The tubular member 24.16 has a free end
that is rotateably supported in the fixing member 25.6 around its
axis and supported shiftably in and out of the fixing member 25.6.
The tubular or cylindrical handle 21.6 of the control stick 20.16
is supported rotateably around its axis in the tubular member 24.26
at one end and it carries the control knob 22.6 at the other end.
The control knob 22.6 provides a plurality of switches 26.6 or
electrical operation units, e.g. controllers, which are provided
for electrical switching of functions of the electrical devices in
the driving school vehicle. The functions to be switched by the
switches 26.6 are, for instance, the functions of the signalling
devices, e.g. blinker and horn, the wipe and wash devices, e.g. the
windscreen wiper, and of the headlight devices, e.g. the dimmed
headlight and upper beam headlights of the driving school vehicle.
The teacher or instructor may even control also driving functions
like braking, operating the clutch, acceleration and even steering
or operating gear box if the electrical devices of the driving
school vehicle comprise corresponding electrical actuators and
features, e.g. control of the accelerator operation, the clutch,
the braking operation etc. driven by electric motor. The switches
26.6 and electrical actuator means of the control unit 20.6 are
coupled via the coupling means 23.6 to the electrical devices of
the driving school vehicle. For instance, a cable may be used as it
is shown in FIG. 15 which extends in the interior of the tubular
members 25.6, 24.16, 24.26, 21.6 to the control knob 22.6 and which
is there connected to the switches 26.6, e.g. touch contact
switches and rocker switches and actuators, either directly or via
interface electronics. The cable is coupled, for instance, via a
plug-type connection to a corresponding connector on the instrument
panel 41.6 of the driving school vehicle. The connector of the
instrument panel 41.6 or board is coupled electrically to the
electrical devices of the driving school vehicle such that the
function and features of the electrical system of the vehicle can
be controlled by and from the control unit 20.6 as intended. But
the coupling means 23.6 can be designed also as a telemetry
arrangement comprising suitable transmitters and receivers for an
electromagnetic, optical, e.g. infrared, or ultrasonic coupling of
the control unit 20.6 to the electrical system of the driving
school vehicle.
[0165] As generally preferred, the control unit 20.6 is attached to
the instructor's seat 30.6 by, for instance, the mounting member
25.6. Further, the control unit 20.6 is arranged in the
instructor's post so that the instructor can operate it in a
comfortable and ergonomic manner. In the embodiment presently
shown, the control stick 20.16 of the control unit 20.6 is located
near the free end of the right armrest 32.6 of the instructor's
seat so that the instructor can easily embrace the handle 21.6 of
the control stick 20.16 by hand and, particularly, he can easily
reach the switches 26.6 by thumb on putting his right forearm on
the armrest. Thus, the handle 21.6 has an approximate length that
approximately corresponds to the width of a hand. The switches 26.6
on the control knob 22.6 are then approximately one length of thumb
in maximum distant from the end of the handle 21.6 to allow a safe
and comfortable operation of the switches 26.6.
[0166] Display means (not shown) can be yet attached to the control
unit 20.6. For instance, a LCD may be used as display means. The
display means are preferably coupled to, for instance, a video
camera by additional coupling means in an electrical manner. The
video camera can be attached to the left exterior rear view mirror
of the bus and, thus, it detects the surrounding area on the left
side of the bus. The image or picture detected by the video camera
is indicated to the instructor on the display means whereby, for
instance, a vehicle in the "blind angle" can be recognized by the
instructor. The display means can be attached to the topside of the
control knob 22.6 of the control stick 20.16 in the control unit
20.6, for instance, by a flexible tube to adjust the position of
the display means.
[0167] The pedal means on the instructor's side 80.5 (or 80.6) is
attached to the vertical inner cover 43.6 or the vertical portion
of the chassis of the driving school vehicle in the driver's cell
40.6.
[0168] The holding device 1.6 has substantially a frame having two
vertical bars 6.6 and 6.16 or rods, a base plate 2.6, on which the
vertical bars 6.6 and 6.16 stand perpendicularly, and an
overhanging handle portion 12.6 projecting into the space of the
driver's cell 40.6. The vertical bars 6.6 and 6.16 extend between
the bottom plate 2.6 and the handle portion 12.6. Further, the
holding device 1.6 has a footrest 7.6 and an attachment frame 10.6,
11.6 for attachment of the pedal means 80.5 (or 80.6) to the
holding device 1.6.
[0169] The holding device 1.6 is connected to the base plate 2.6 on
the base 42.6 of the driving school vehicle by screws. A transverse
member 4.6 extends between the vertical bars 6.6 and 6.16
horizontally, the transverse member 4.6 is attached to the inner
cover 43.6 of the driving school vehicle by screws.
[0170] The handle portion 12.6 has a transverse bar 3.6, a left
side curved tube member 13.6 and a right side curved tube member
14.6 which connect the transverse bar 3.6 to the vertical bar 6.6
or the vertical bar 6.16 integrally. The curved tube members 13.6
and 14.6 project to the driver's side and passenger's door,
respectively, in a curved and bellied manner oriented away from the
vertical bars 6.6 and 6.16, respectively.
[0171] The footrest 7.6 has a rest tube 7.16 extending horizontally
and perpendicularly to the vertical bars 6.6 and 6.16 of equal
length in a transverse manner, and two support tubes 8.6 and 9.6
having equal length and extending in parallel to each other. The
support tube 8.6 connects the rest tube 7.16 to the vertical bar
integrally while the support tube 9.6 connects the rest tube 7.16
to the other vertical bar 6.6 integrally.
[0172] The attachment frame 10.6, 11.6 has two side members
extending in parallel to each other, one on the side of the
vertical bar 6.16 and the other (not shown) on the side of the
vertical bar 6.6, the pedal means 80.5 (or 80.6) is attached, e.g.
by screws, on and between them, and a transverse member 11.6
extending between the vertical bars 6.6 and 6.16 a little below the
support tubes 8.6 and 9.6. The shown side member 10.6 is inclined
relative to the plane of the vertical bars 6.6 and 6.16 towards the
instructor's seat 30.6 and it includes an angle to the vertical bar
6.16 that, for instance, may be 15 .degree.. Consequently, also the
side member not being shown is inclined relative to the plane of
the vertical bars 6.6 and 6.16 towards the instructor's seat 30.6
and it includes the same angle to the vertical bar 6.6 which, for
instance, may also have 15.degree.. The angle point is located on
the bottom plate 2.6 while the opening of the angle is at the level
of the transverse member 11.6 on which the side members 12.6 are
welded.
[0173] As shown in FIG. 15 in which the pedals of the pedal means
80.5 are depicted in a non operated condition, the pedals are
located, if the pedal means 80.5 (or 80.6) are attached or secured
to the side members 10.6, in the space between the rest tube 7.16
of the footrest 7.6 and the base plate 2.6 of the holding device
1.6 or the base of the driver's cap or cell, or to say it in other
words, the footrest 7.6 or its rest tube 7.16 is arranged in the
space above the pedals. In more detail, the footrest and the
transverse tube 7.16 extend in a plane being parallel to the plane
of the vertical bars 6.6, 6.16, and a fictitious axis through the
pedals 99, 98 and 97 extends in a plane being parallel to the
vertical plane of the rest tube 7.16. The vertical plane of the
rest tube 7.16 has a distance to the vertical parallel plane of the
pedals. This horizontal distance is, for instance, 5 cm to 15 cm
and it allows that the pedals can be reached without any obstacle.
Thus, the footrest 7.6 extends in a displaced manner backwards
within the area between the vertical bars 6.6, and 6.16 and this
vertical plane of pedals. If one puts a horizontal plane through
the pedals 99, 98, and 97 and a horizontal plane being parallel
thereto through the rest tube 7.16, both planes are perpendicular
to the vertical plane of the vertical bars 6.6 and 6.16, a vertical
distance is present between both horizontal planes which may be,
for instance, 5 cm to 20 cm. That means that the footrest 7.6 and
the rest tube 7.16 are arranged in this distance in the area above
the pedals.
[0174] It was found that the arrangement of the footrest 7.6 allows
a very quick operation of the pedals by the instructor. The
instructor, for instance, rests his left foot on the footrest 7.6.
Then, if the instructor has to intervene in the present driving in
order to correct the student driver, the foot only needs to be
moved downwards onto the pedals, e.g. the pedal 99, to be able to
provide a pedal operation. In this case, one can speak of
"dropping" the foot that surprisingly leads to a very quick pedal
operation reaction and, thus it leads to improved safety during
driving school operation.
[0175] The instructor's side pedal means 80.5 of the instructor's
post in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 is shown in more detail in FIG. 5,
which is composed of pedal units 80, 80.1 and 81 having the
respective pedals 99, 98 and 97 for clutch, brake, and
acceleration, respectively. The pedal means 80.5 is coupled to the
supplementing driver's side pedal means 90.5 shown in FIG. 4 via
the pressure lines 90, 91 and 92 for priority controlling of the
driver's side pedal means 90.5.
[0176] The pedal lever 60 and the support lever 61 of the pedal
linkage are surrounded by a flexible frill or cover 601 being
closed and folded (see FIG. 15), which consists of rubber, e.g.
india-rubber. The cover 601 protects the pedal means 80.5 against
pollution or dirtying, e.g. splash water. The pedal lever and the
support lever of the pedal 98 also are provided with a
corresponding folded and flexible protective cover 602.
[0177] If the instructor's side pedal means 80.6 shown in FIG. 10
and having the pedal units 80.2, 80.12, and 81.2 and the
corresponding pedals 99.2, 98.2, and 97.2 are used in the
instructor's post according to FIGS. 13, 24, and 15, the pedal
means 80.6 are coupled to the supplementary driver's side pedal
means 90.6 of the double pedal means 90.6 having anti gas for
priority controlling of the driver's side pedal means 90.6 via the
pressure lines 90.2, 91.2, 92.2.
* * * * *